> War for Equestria-Prelude 1
>  by CeresBane
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Unmarked Soldier
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was the usual sunny day in Canterlot with nary a cloud in the skies.  But the day was by no means peaceful, at least by any Canterlot standard. As one would expect from the busy capital metropolis of all Equestria, everypony of every kind flooded the skies and streets in a buzz of activity. Gusts of wind would slap you across on every side as the rush of the pegasii weaved the air of the city in a dizzying maelstrom. And the clopping, the constant clopping of hundreds of pony hooves upon the cobble stone would madden you if you ever stopped to listen. For all around him, this was just another day in the peaceful kingdom of Equestria.

There he was, after a long journey he has made it home. At least it use to be. He had been gone for such a long time. It took him only a glimpse to know nothing was what he knew anymore.

“There he is! He’s the pony that attacked the gate guards.”

His ear twitched to the sound but he would not be slowed. So much for keeping a low profile.

It was his intention to at least use the ponies around to shroud himself, but times were different. His every mannerism, his breed and face were just too distinct to hide in a crowd. For all his worth he may as well have been a beacon in the darkness. But he would most certainly not be stopped. The city gate guards met him with suspicion and intimidation. After the changeling incident, no pony of any kind would pass through the gates until thoroughly checked. Naturally a war-torn vagabond looking colt with a sword on his shoulder, was not exactly the kind to just breeze by the city gates unchecked.

Unfortunately for the guards this was a pony that liked to be unmolested. It took only a moment and then he was through the gate and into the city. A small garrison of unconscious ponies left in his wake. It was admittedly impressive of them to notice so quickly, communication had gotten better since his day. Where he thought he had at least an hour's head start, he'd realised he had minutes. To have the city guard notice a suspicious figure was in the city within those minutes as opposed to hours of going through the chain of command where the order to hunt for him would be given city-wide was truly a marvel.

But continuing to walk without so much as a change of pace he'd found himself at the city square, deep into the heart of Canterlot. There the royal guards advanced on him. By then, the clopping had stopped as every pony created an envelopment of flesh to watch on the ensuing drama. He never wavered his gaze away from his goal, but the royal palace was obstructed from view by a herd of foals. Royal guards are just not what they use to be, he noted. For all their progress, he noticed much has been lost. His red eye flashed a glare in ire and his spine tingled in anticipation of violence all along his crimson furred back.

Where was there steel? Where was there mettle? How can these foals hope to defend Equestria?

Peace has made Equestria's defenders soft. Efficiency meant nothing if it lacked potency.

Not a single step was lost, not a single one faltered. As he neared the wall of ponies they looked at each other wondering what to do. Fear. Hesitation. Those eyes sending them inches towards the edge of panic. Pitiful.

The stallion was clearly mad with eyes of crimson blood and flesh of the very same shade, he looked the very part of a killer. One look in his eyes and everypony knew that if they didn’t part they would most certainly be run through. No pony was brave enough to face him, they merely watched him as he encroached. They knew they had to act soon, but just couldn't. Looking at this pony was as if to look into the eyes of a cockatrice.

On his forelegs he wore white leg warmers that loosely fit to his legs. They rustled in the wind accompanying the sound of his hoofs clopping on the ancient cobble stones, as if commanding the ground he walked on. On his rump he wore black trousers held in place by a green belt with the strap on his back, the mystery of his cutie mark disturbed everypony. It just seemed so unnatural to hide it so intentionally. And on the upper half of his back he wore a horrid black scabby scar. As if some monstrous creature had clawed him to near death and the wound had been severely burned shut, leaving behind a horrid scar. There indeed was no mistake, this pony had killed before and he was clearly intent to do so again. This pony spoke fear with his whole body.

And his blade promised death.

The hilt jutting from his shoulder the mysterious soldier grabbed his sword from his back. But he did not draw. Now nearing them by a measly few hoofs some ponies began their hesitant retreat. It took all their will to keep the shield wall intact but their steps moved backwards, as if they were a dam about to give way to the sheer presence of fear incarnate.

“Halt in the name of Equestria!” Many voices of similar greetings sounded out at the same time. It didn't seem so intimidating when they retreated with each advance he made and the way they said it with such lack of unity just singled the lacking in their words. The sword pony’s ears twitched again and some within the ranks flinched.

Equestria is a kingdom united in complacency.

Instantly his blade flashed, shining brightly in the sun. The sword split into tiny shards of polished metal and wire and span about him in a chaotic maelstrom of flashing light and slicing. It occurred with such instance and intensity that it took moments for all eyes to adjust back to normal. By the time they could see again, the mysterious soldier had vanished, leaving behind bewildered on lookers and naked royal guards. The best armour of the land had been replaced with cuts and bruises.

-

It was tea time in Canterlot castle, a time of much fanfare and solemn merry making usually. But due to the high alert in the streets many nobles and dignitaries were lead to leave to safer locations. Princess Celestia sat alone in her throne room levitating a cup and saucer up to her person. With each clinking tap of saucer and cup resonating in the silent air, the loneliness of the moment brought a sigh pass her lips. The long red carpet towards her throne would usually hold a single pony who had her audience. Rows upon rows of servants and hand maidens and officials and advisor would look on in the flanks. Secluded and under guard by two of the greatest warriors in the land, Celestia was haunted by one of her greatest enemies.

Boredom.

Staring for what seemed like hours she regarded her surroundings for the umpteenth time. Soon high noon came and the light of the sun was strong in the room. On the otherwise bare white marble floor shone down the many stain glass tapestries. Great epics and legends of the past both recent and ancient. She eyed each one solemnly letting the memories of millennia flow.

“Princess Celestia, I have grave news.” Shining Armour was in such a rush into the throne room that he rammed the grand double doors, slamming two royal guards in the snout with the sudden swinging of doors.

“Captain, what could possibility be so grave as to have you like this?” Cool as ever the princess greeted with politeness and concern. Not a hint of her melancholy could be seen.

Nor her contempt.

“A sword pony princess. A master, he’s come for your head.” Celestia raised regal brow to this. Old news  she thought to herself. The nobles had been raving about him for hours. But now that she heard it once more for the billionth, there was something eerie about it all. Amateurs were everywhere but a renowned sword pony?

Sword ponies were a long since extinct profession. Very few could wield enough strength in their mouths to avoid losing teeth and torn flesh, as well as weave with such gentle enough grace to dodge and parry to close the gap on foes. This is why the standard weapon of equestrian military were pole arms and crossbows so that ponies could charge into battle and attack from a safe distance. If this pony was truly a master, he would have to be ancient or an outsider of Equestria.

For a long moment Celestia thought to herself. What did Shining Armour expect her to reply? Everything needed to be done was done. Did he expect some sort of praise to portray this news? In fact where had he been when the orders were given out? Feeling her ire towards him she finally began to speak. “I want you to search the city for this pony. I want him arrested and taken here to me."

“Under submission naturally.” This time Shining Armour was the one to raise a brow. Celestia wanted to roll her eyes but she resisted.

“Naturally.” Celestia nodded curtly to captain obvious. “Let those two accompany you too. I want every stallion searching for this sword pony.” The two door-guards finished wiping blood from their snouts bowed low, following Shining Armour out the door.

Why or how this foal became a captain is beyond me.

Mayhaps Cadence had a hand in it, raised in her royal court she knew a thing or two about intrigue, she would have made any noble a proud prince. But then she fell in love as younglings do, likely using her influence to raise the station of the colt from private to captaincy. I truly shouldn't have made that bargain to approve their wedding plans if he became something worthy to marry... like a captain. She had clearly played into her hoofs with it. Young love, Celestia mused absently, taking especially more care to taste the bittersweet taste of her tea to accompany her thoughts.

She sipped slowly and periodically taking the time to enjoy the warmth and aroma.

But with time perhaps he would amount to something, greatness runs in the Sparkles if Twilight were any indication. Though, that idiot maybe a thousand years too young to even come close to the calibre of her shining pupil. I mean really! A wedding in the middle of a national emergency!? She didn't want any of it but being of alicorn royalty, she knew to honour her words lest she would be found unworthy of speaking them. Her promise to Cadence had to be kept and it was their choice to choose when to have their own wedding. But still... It didn't make the whole idea any less idiotic. 

“Don’t forget to close the door behind you.” Shining Armour had just left the throne room and turned around to then bow towards the throne as his horn glowed brightly, summoning the power to close doors. With a resonant slam the doors closed and the sound of fading hoof steps followed. Only then did Celestia's reverie broke and noticed that she wasn't alone in the room.

“That was an impressive impression.” Princess Celestia smirked.

Beside the right door of the throne room entrance stood the sword pony in question.

“Even after so many years you still persist to be called princess.”The stallion walked in a steady pace towards the throne. Celestia delicately placed down her tea beside her watching him come. Seemingly too slow for her liking she rose from her throne and walked to meet him, mayhaps a little more enthusiastically than she intended. 

“How long has it been old friend?” Celestia's smirk grew as she approached closer. She looked at him thoroughly. He looked the same as he remembered. Walking with a warrior's pride, looking on with a soldier's hardened eyes and the branding mark of a high servant of the alicorn royalty.

“God knows...” The red soldier in retort, giving a returning wry smile. Celestia stifled a giggle.

“A lonesome mare guising herself in godhood as well as royalty, I have to say I can’t deny that you indeed have class. My lady.” The red soldier bent down to affectionately raise Celestia’s hoof to kiss.  The familiar ring of his words seemed to claw at her heart as certain memories flooded her mind all at once. She wanted to feel so much. In an instant her expression went from a wry smirk to her royal poker face in the face of her uncertainty.

“Ceres, enough.” She spoke to protest, her tone solemn but she did nothing else to resist him. He took advantage and advanced his affections to her neck.

“I missed you, my lady.” Ceres whispered into her ear and nibbled a little. She wanted to return his favours, to kiss and hold him and yet all the while throttle his throat and cry rivers of tears while pushing him away. How dare he return and why return at such a time as now? Her heart just wasn't ready to handle it all. She was at her limit as is.

“I said enough!” Picking the simplest emotion Celestia slapped him across the face with her right hoof. He saw it coming and he let it come. Celestia struck with such force that his head recoiled to the side with the blow leaving a mark of broken flesh. He closed his eyes for what he thought was a long moment. I needed that , he echoed inside. Feeling the welling of tears he shut his eyes even tighter until his tears subsided before opening them again.

"I'm sorry." He didn't feel sorry, in fact he was disappointed. Deeply so.

He's real. This was not a dream or some sick changeling jest, Celestia simply didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so she just gone mad.

“You would be here for only one reason!” As if the longevity of his thoughts were just an instant time unfroze and reality kicked back into gear. She was right, he only had one reason. Now at least. Looking up from his reverie he gave himself a moment to take in his lady. She was definitely not the same he knew. His lady had changed. The immortal and ever beautiful Celestia had grown up, as he did.

Banishing all personal matters to the back of his mind. He bowed low in the ancient traditional Canterlot manner and gave his address, he spoke simply and concisely.

“Yes, your highness. I am hear to report that the Queen mother has died. You or your sister must rise to the station and I, as the queen's herald will choose whom is worthy.”
> Princess of the Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The day had made way for the night. For the whole day Celestia had let Equestria run itself. She had been trying to slowly lessen the importance of the alicorn royalty so that someday ponykind would live in harmony. She had tried to emulate her mother, to be of at least a fraction of the greatness she had brought to Equestria. From the founding to the renewal, the Queen mother had been the all-loving, all-powerful goddess in all positive interpretations of the word.

In the face of such perfection, Celestia's efforts were pathetic. She had always thought so. So over the years, she had assigned power to the ponies. Founding the creation of the noble class, government and politics, slowly shaping Equestria for a time when she herself would be gone too and her kingdom, her children, every single one with in her domain would be in capable hooves within each other's.

And then this bombshell comes. One of the sister must rise to their station in earnest and become the next queen of Equestria.

Talking with Ceres was painful. On one hoof, it felt so good to have such a familiar, comfortable face to meet once more, a pony's face who she knew as way back as a filly, as somepony to look up, to have always looked up to and later even admire and then love. But on the other hoof he served as a shadow of all things she regrets, her sins and her countless torturous what ifs.

And her duty that she tried to escape and for Luna to be spared from.

In the dwindling twilight Celestia stood upon the palace balcony looking out into the horizon awaiting the return of her sister. She had readied Luna's favourite telescope if she so wished to star gaze that night. Anything to ease the impact. Ceres was there standing by the door knowing full well how his presence made her feel. The pressure of his eyes staring into her back, waiting to see a promised kept.

“Are you sure you’re able to do this?” Ceres spoke mere moments ago. A simple nod was her reply, fearing to speak and reveal her weakness. If he wasn’t staring so relentlessly her legs would quake to the weight she felt on her shoulders. Suddenly the weight on her brow felt especially heavy as well. I had almost forgotten the weight of this crown over the millennia.

It had been so long since he’d seen her, dreams in the night as well as the day his thoughts consumed often times of only her. In waking dreams and horrid frustrating nightmares he would see his life of a someday that wouldn’t come. He had dared to hope that a mere few millennia would not change her feelings but the weight of the crown had hardened her. For that he was thankful, as he could return home watching on high his homeland in such utopian harmony. His lady had made a good ruler, an ideal “princess.”

But with that what purpose did he himself have? The thought hanging on his mind he watched the dream in front of his eyes, refusing to turn from it. All he could really do was wait. She was confused and unsteady, things would have to settle before he truly knew if there was indeed any hope to grab on to. Who knew how long that would take? A few weeks? Days? Or mayhaps yet another millennia? Forcing a silver lining to form in his clouded mind, he could at least be happy waiting by her side.

Her a queen? That was impossible! Only mother could ever truly fit that role. She had always been so as far as the princess's vast memory could recall. True the rulership of Equestria was now hers but she’d only agreed with it as a stewardship. Never once did she even think that the all powerful goddess of the land could merely die, she was everlasting and eternal, much like the Equestria they believed in. How could things go so horribly wrong? How can ages of waiting for her freedom seal her fate? She shouldn’t have been so kind, so pure and affectionate. She shouldn’t have let her mother go out into the world and promised to rule in her stead. She shouldn’t have promised to take the queen’s crown should the everlasting and eternal mother of Equestria impossibly die.

“You should rest. I will handle this.” Sensing his lady’s distress Ceres held out a helping hoof and nuzzled her close. He felt her shaking as his body touched hers, a slight quaking that felt like a flood gate beginning to buckle. Her soft mane blew in the wind and tingled as they brushed against his sensitive scars on occasion. Betwixt the sublime feeling of his own joy and the empathy of her lady's sorrow he knew his own powerlessness. This was something only she could deal with, at best he could lessen her load.

Celestia shoved him away, leaving him only to frown at himself and look downwards. He sighed deeply and came towards her once more. “No! I must do this. She needs to know from-”

A hoof covered her mouth and instinctively she obeyed the command for silence. It was a strange experience tinged with nostalgia and frustration and just a small measure of bewilderment.

“She needs to know from me. I am the queen’s herald. It is my final duty to her. I admit, it was wrong of me to think it best to give you the burden. I...” He gave a small nudge away from the edge of the balcony. At first Celestia resisted to move at the coaxing but he kept trying with more and more insistence and eventually she gave in.

As she looked out at the last of the daylight vanishing into the night something inside told her, that deep down she would truly be unable to go through with it. Ceres leading her to the door Celestia began to sob uncontrollably just as the doors closed off, letting the day completely make way for the night.

The castle at night was an alien world. Where the castle of white and gold during the day, it was cloaked with the midnight blue of darkness and the silver of moonlight. Along the corridor the place phased back and forth in light and darkness as the light of the night filtered through the windows. As he walked through the hallways beside Celestia Ceres's thoughts were of Celestia, constantly of Celestia. Walking that slow and painful trudge he plotted the route to Celestia's chambers. She would lead her there and watch her slowly go to sleep. Whether he would stay or go forth to give his message would depend entirely on his lady's condition. But a problem presented itself in his mind. He remembered he was a fugitive. She had ordered every stallion in Canterlot to be searching for him so that she could empty the throne room, for a chance to talk in private with him. At the time it was a clever move. Now however the consequences were becoming more of a nuisance than anything else. Thinking deeply between the ideal, the possible and the real, he made a snap decision and made a trot to the front.

In hindsight, he could have just asked Celestia to order them to cancel the search but then again Celestia was in no condition to be taking any kind of burden.

“Strength Celestia... strength. I cannot lead you any further or your guards will find me.” He pawed her gently as you would to any crying mare. Their walk slowed to a halt for a moment as Ceres looked her deep in the eyes, bringing himself before her.

“I need you to smile for me. Just until you reach your chambers. We will deal with this whole mess in the morning, okay?” As soon as he suggested it he knew he was being an idiot. It was his own desire to see her smiling face. If the guards see her grinning like a fool, they would be certain something was amiss.

He’d made the move now and couldn’t back down. One thing he learned from royalty was that if you made a mistake, you follow it through. The consequences of not doing so will lead to treason. A scenario that would be far worse than looking like a leader that made an honest mistake.

“Come on...” Celestia lifted her head up high proudly and controlled the flowing tears. Her breathing was deep and slow as she walked forwards. She turned back and gave Ceres a wide grin and it stayed that way, as if her face had been made of stone. Ceres mentally grimaced inside but returned the smile to the princess. Suddenly the original plan was sounding good again but it was too late to back down, things would be fine, probably. He turned and galloped back to the balcony, to then think nothing of it.

Nearing the door he slowed to a canter, arriving just in time to hear hoofs clopping on the stone floor of the balcony outside.

“Sister?” Princess Luna had just arrived home after a good day’s sleeping. Today she had chosen to try camping in the Everfree forest and played with the Ursas. She wanted to tell Celestia all about it but... she was nowhere to be found. Ceres peaked through a crack in the door and watched as Luna's mane blew in the wind. Her hoofs shuffling and pacing about nervously, a real worried face on her features. As Celestia told him, it was a regular thing for them to meet in the palace balcony so that every pony could see the shifting of the sun and moon with their very own eyes in pony form. It was a ceremonial thing at best and had no other purpose but to exhibit themselves to all of Canterlot. A symbol of their unity Celestia had said. But no pony really looked anymore. It was as mundane as... well the rising of the sun and the moon.

A red colt walked out to meet her. The first thing she noticed was the sword on his shoulder and immediately she took up a low defensive stance, horn ready to act. To her surprised he walked straight past her. From his flank other features were given light to the princess. How his back wore a horrid scabby black scar, his flank hidden away as he wore black trousers that covered all of his lower half, and how his front legs were covered in a white cloth tied in a series of red ribbons. There were a series of text wrapping around it. From what she could read, they were passages from the story of creation and prophecy of the fall of Equestria. The red colt casually lent his forelegs over the railings to look out into the world. And then he stared upwards at the shining silver moon. “Nightmare moon I presume.” said the colt reciting the abridged history Celestia had told him.

“That... that’s what some call me, yes.” Luna turned around her stance relaxed but ready. Something about him made him seem important. The way he wore his clothes, the holy text on his body and that mark... she felt an all too far off nostalgia  about it. As if noticing her staring the colt turned his head and stared at her eyes. Those eyes were not of any pony she had seen in centuries. They had the eyes that had lost their innocence.

“How are you handling Equestria? A thousand years exile is a long time to be... out of touch.” He smiled to look amused but the jab was mostly at himself than to Luna. His stare seemed to peek into her soul as if this pony was testing her mettle. Gathering her dwindling courage she attempted a retort.

“I’m adapting just fine. Why... awhile ago on nightmare night-” Ceres burst out laughing, he'd heard of that holiday during his travels towards Canterlot. Knowing the full extent of a vexed monarch, he could just imagine the rage Luna would feel upon discovering such an occasion in her honour. Ceres had no doubt the transition involving Luna's return to the people will be a long process. It was just so sad and pathetic that you just couldn't make up how ridiculously unfortunate it was. Somehow it was simply hilarious to him. In annoyance Luna stomped her hoofs into the stone causing a hoof-sized crater to form. He stopped laughing only to form a smile. Much, better princess. A ruler should not know doubt. His eyes looking the part of a serious message giver he turned his back from staring into nothing. His full attention was had.

“Does that make you mad Luna?” Ceres walked up to her and closing his face to hers, the amusement on his face clear to the princess. She could daresay that he was antagonising her! And she could feel it working. But she just didn't know whether to rage or cry. Unfortunately for her he was not going to let up, continuing to walk closer and closer. “A thousand years of legends and stories and myths of just how evil you are. How your night made everypony quake in fear. How your jealousy turned you to rage and destruction and death incarnate.” She began to take steps back while her eyes wondered everywhere as if looking to escape. Suddenly the open space of the balcony felt so small and compact.

“I...” she began but her mind was empty. He was right, it did make her mad. Things may be at peace now but the reasons she hated ponies were still there. Even now they shunned the night and to this day they shunned her. Nothing had changed. Cornered she slumped down, tears beginning to form. Ceres walked to the door and through Luna's watering eyes she swore she spotted tiny puddles beside him. But it was probably a trick of the light, it was her tears she was seeing.

“Walk with me Luna.” The red colt walked past her once more and opened the door, beckoning her to follow her through. She looked up to him and his hoof that was reaching out to her. Compelled by something about this colt she reached out her own hoof to receive the aid to rise. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she wanted to.

In the hallway they walked the quiet corridors. Luna felt nervous. She had never been in such a situation before, alone with a colt like him. He was walking in the front leading the way, but then he stopped. Luna lost in her thoughts as she calmed her tears her face bumped straight into his rump. It was only the slightest of taps, but the contact made her blush and jump back in a panic. Her focus grew as she heard the tone of his voice.

“Before we advance further, your highness, I would like to inform you that I’m currently a fugitive right now.” Luna regarded the pony as he turned his head to look at her. At the mention of himself she felt her heart stop. Her eyes went wide and her steps began to pace back. He was a fugitive, a criminal! If she was seen with him she’d be marked as an accomplice! At any moment she would turn around and begin screaming bloody murder.

“Guards!” It was Ceres that screamed. Luna looked around suddenly feeling the need to hide. Pacing in circles she began to calm and realised that she wasn't the one needing to hide. She looked about her but the colt had gone.“Wa-” She stopped herself, realising what she was doing. Why did she want to wait for him? In fact why did he scream for the guards? She bit her lip and began hoofing the ground in indecision. With an assured nod she galloped to catch him, surmising that he could only have gone ahead to advance whatever plan he had.

“Who goes there? Show yourself immediately.” The guards saw a silhouette hiding in the shadows. Holding their halberds out towards the shadow they prepared for any mishaps.

“Hi, my name is Ceres. I’m the one your queen has ordered to capture. I would like to be taken to the dungeons please.” The two guards looked at each other at the mention of their queen and gave puzzlement as their replies to each other’s enquiring eye. Ceres walked out of the shadows slowly as he continued to talk. “Now I know you were ordered to take me to queen Celestia so that I could talk to her... but she is probably asleep right now so-“

“WE HOLD JURISDICTION OF THE NIGHT. IF THOU WISHETH TO SAY SOMETHING TO HER HIGHNESS THEN THOU SHALT LOOK NO FURTHER THAN WE, HER HIGHNESS!” Walking into the moonlight princess Luna spoke out in her traditional Canterlot voice. The sound of it made Ceres feel the nostalgia wash over him as the breeze of Luna’s mighty breath blew him away. After his first words to Celestia she replied in such a way too. He went deaf the rest of the night and had to communicate through other means. A wide grin marked his features, the guards reacted as if he'd planned this whole thing. Not missing a beat he went with the flow.

“You heard the lady, you two. Celestia probably wanted  you to find me like a criminal so that you could find me faster.” Ceres walked to Luna’s side and wore a smugness that just rubbed the guards the wrong way. And the guards were definite in their conclusion that he was spinning a yarn. They weren't biting, he thought as his smile turned upside down.

After sighing dramatically and rolling his eyes he pointed princess Luna. “Look, princess Luna here is as powerful as twenty of you guards. I will be under her jurisdiction. She will take me to the dungeons or let me relay my message and then go to the dungeons.” The guards lookrf to Luna as she began to inhale deeply.

“Luna before you talk, remember that your sister is trying to sleep.” Ceres gave her three strong nudges as he spoke the last three words.

“You may leave now soldiers, I will make sure this one does not do anything criminal. Now go forth and guard Canterlot from real dangers.” They eyed Luna sceptically but eventually they agreed.  No matter how hard they thought of a a way around the royal obstacle, Nightmare Moon is indeed the ruler of Equestria at night. To disobey was treason. The criminal had to be let go, things should be clearer in the morning.

"Follow me, colt." Luna walked past him with regal grace, but a feeling of sudden nervousness came she felt his eyes swim over her as she passed. "Of course... My lady. My name is Ceres by the way. I'm sorry I forgot to say so before."

Luna made no reply and continued to lead the way.

For a good while they moved back and forth corridors and hallways. The whole time they hazarded nervous glances at each other but turned away so that neither would notice, or dared hoped the other didn't as they made undeniable eye contact. Unlike Luna, he was wise to the game and played along, with little accidents here and there. Their mood lightened ever so slowly and they walked and talked as they stared deeply into each other's eyes, smiles and giggles galore. Soon enough they were barred by two giant double doors.

“Not going to the dungeon?” Ceres said.

“The night is young.” Luna spoke simply as she commanded the doors to open with magic and they walked out into the night.

"You are obviously not some mere criminal and I can tell you aren't the type to be held by bars or chains." Luna walked side by side with the colt, a mixture of caution, inquisitive suspicion and pure curiosity battling her.

But from what she could tell, she knew he was no mere Equestrian citizen. His sword and clothes, hinted at some long extinct station she couldn't quite place. His scars and eyes spoke of eons of painful knowledge and suffering of their heavy weight on his shoulders. He presented himself with a pride of spirit that could only speak of purity of heart and soul.

This stallion was a living question.

Whoever this stranger is, he has answers that I've been searching for.
> Queen of Equestria
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The moon was a crescent shape that beautiful cloudless night. Stars shone particularly brightly that night with not a single one amiss despite the polluting light of the city. A place abuzz with such activity. Music hovered across the capital like a blanket, from the lulling lullabies of mares singing their foals to dreamland in the outskirts, to the reverberating wubs of the party ponies in the city's center. Not a pony on the streets were still. After a hard's day work many ponies simply wanted to go home as they made the lethargic trudge to the suburbs. While young, hip ponies flooded the alleys and walkways like tidal wave of chatter and clopping towards the heart of the party.

Ceres and Luna wandered the streets of Canterlot as Ceres lead the way, seemingly driven by some unknown urge. For the first time that day there was no caution or concern with his actions. Wandering around with the royal pardon on legs he no longer needed to be so worried. The night is young as Luna had said, he had hours before he needed to do his part. But he wanted to lighten the mood a little, to soften the impact. A little fun to get things along. From what he heard of Luna's idea of fun, a little education was in order. At least that's what he thought as Luna shadowed his way. A night time adventure with the princess of the night, Ceres couldn't resist a short stifling laugh to himself as every Night guard out on patrol glared green envying daggers at him.

Every so often he’d turn around a corner and expected a certain something to welcome his vision. But each time he was only disappointed. He talked of great restaurants and shops at night that he frequented in times of old, public houses singing bawdy songs and endless rivers of apple juice flowing within. But nothing was familiar, where there use to be merry making there was the strange wubbing noise inside an alien neon lighted building. Where he expected night time libraries he found a place that told stories in moving pictures. And all the food he could find were these greasy, seedy “take away” places that offered no places for a pony to sit and eat nor give any resemblance of welcoming service. Everything was newer than he expected, literally nothing of the old remained.

Lost in an alien world the pair walked to the only thing they knew was eternal. They continued to look around regardless and even tried a few things but all of it simply felt off. As if they were forcing fun upon each other with awkward smiles and sickeningly shallow banter. With every stop they had found that all roads lead their eyes. They paused quietly on the main road, letting the rush of laughing and giggling ponies wash over them. The castle beckoned. In this alien world the castle was their bastion of familiarity. Mayhaps their only one for a very long time. Reluctantly, with defeat in their quest for fun hanging over their heads, they returned to the castle. The night still young, barely a few hours old.

Stubborn to retire and merely wallow in lonesome melancholy they kept from entering the castle itself. Optimistic to at least find wonders within the castle grounds they took a stroll through the gardens. To both of their surprise, the place had in fact been a lovers' paradise. Every bush they passed, every corner they turned, every flower bed they strolled, courting stallions and mares were to be found somewhere just out of sight. The place was awash with whispers of sweet nothings, swooning and fawning. Luna looked at Ceres nervously, she was blushing so deeply and seemed to quiver all over. Ceres saw a mix of fear, hesitation, uncertainty, terror and want in her features. He could hazard a guess that she likely felt that she needed to do something as per appropriate those that surrounded them. He smiled to himself, still such a filly.

"Come with me princess. I want to show you something." Ponies do not take others by the hand. In the body language of the Equestrian, much is told through their eyes. Ceres looked at Luna with such conviction that she was compelled to follow him. Something about it made her feel safe and reassured, as if he would to hide her away from this awful impure place. However what he intended was what worried her instead.

-

“It’s strange...” Princess Luna began and then trailed off. She had began to speak but there were so many subjects to begin with.

“It is...” Ceres replied, quivering still from his culture shock.  They sat in a secluded bench deep in the castle gardens. It was a place he’d known very well and kept close to his heart. Deep in the garden hedge maze parts of the walls are false. They opened the way to places no mere pegasus can see from the sky, and not even your most excellent of average unicorns can merely stumble upon. You merely had to know them or trust the one who did to be permitted entry. Each secret maze room held a shrine to each element of harmony. Ceres and Luna were in none of the six you would think of.

He’d wanted to bring Celestia there, but it was the last place he could think of. To his relief, Celestia had preserved the place well, a secret hideaway where memories gathered to rest. Admittedly, he enjoyed his evening escapade somewhat, but it just didn’t feel the same. In days old everypony had a sense of community, this was still true to an extent but now they held a sort of hidden detachment from each other. No pony was part of everyone's lives anymore, barring only royalty themselves.

“No. I mean, nights hadn’t usually been this rowdy. It almost seemed like every pony was about tonight.” Indeed, his ears still ringing with the sound of wubs and partying. Ponies had been going out late more times as of late this era. Though mayhaps Luna was talking of something else.

“The ponies were out on the town, but not a one took a moment to look at the magic of the night sky. You’ve made beautiful stars tonight princess.” Ceres sat on the bench his forelegs behind him as he lent back to look skyward, unclothed. Something about the situation made the weight of his sword awkward to hold and constricting feel of his clothes made him feel hot and heavy. He needed to breathe and refresh himself and enjoy the night air. Like a true earth pony would. Although feeling no such ailment herself, she also removed her crown and girdle. There was no special reason to it really, it just seemed appropriate to do so. Ceres merely smirked at the action, Luna's eyes furrowed in reaction as if she'd been silently mocked. Her first instinct was become downcast and go within herself, but she resisted the urge. Courage Luna.

Luna having made sure to sit close to him Ceres couldn't help but glance to see her advances. In those eyes she could only see one person. Guilt panged in his heart. This was a bad place to be, it was sacred. It was sacred...the place they called theirs and theirs alone.The place they first met, the secret garden within the secret; Celestia's and his. At this very moment, he wanted to take Luna away, far from this place never to visit it again until such a time Celestia does. But it was ideally private, what was about to transpire was not for mortal ears.

“The ponies of Equestria may never truly change.” Luna sighed. “They will always close their eyes to the night. I will always be just something that comes before the day.” Luna had leant on Ceres’s shoulder. Not knowing how to react, Ceres did nothing at all.

“Is that okay with you? Has a thousand years changed the ire in you? Have the elements of harmony quelled the hate in you? Is eternal night a solution to the problem?” With each new question her mind gave way to doubt and then confusion and then a silent despair. A kind of which that would not show on her features, but her actions. Luna lent on Ceres's shoulder and silently whimpered. Ceres remained uncertain and merely waited for the inevitable relapse.

“Nothing has changed. I still hold the uncertainty of how to find my happiness. The elements of harmony may have hurt me and weakened me but I am still the princess of the night, and the ponies still ignore the night as ever. An eternity of night was the only thing I could think of. There is something to love in the night, I just want everypony to see it as clearly as the light of day.” Still not knowing what to do, Ceres did nothing at all. Nothing but listen.

-

The night rolled by silently. Ceres had lain down on the bench with Luna on beside of him, both watching as the stars shone and the moon glowed. It was a couple of hours before dawn now and they knew that this moment had to end. Ceres had a job to do and Luna would need to leave eventually. Her company was... wonderful for lack of a better word.

“Tell me about yourself, Ceres.” Luna nuzzled against his chest. Lying on his back hurt his scars immensely but with Luna on  him, he couldn’t bring himself to move. Pain had been a thing he endured in ages, he could endure this. So long as he didn’t move too suddenly, the pangs of pain didn't feel too bad.

“Where do I begin?” Ceres pawed Luna’s mane absent-mindedly. “There’s a lot to tell.” Luna thought deep and remembered that a certain something had been nagging on her the whole night.

“Why did you call my sister a queen? She’s a princess like me.” Ceres sighed with relief, good, he thought. Now he was making some progress. But he should approach cautiously, he thought. It wouldn’t do to do a repeat of Celestia.

“How old are you Luna? No better yet. How much do you remember about your mother?” Luna looked up at him. She wanted to ask why he was asking these specific questions. But by the tone of his voice, it was important that she just complied.

"I don't know my mother." The breath in Ceres was lost to him. How could she not know? She was her mother, a mare she knew for much of her infancy, long into her childhood.

"That's impossible." The response was involuntary. Luna rolled so that she laid on top of him, pinning him down with her body. She looked him deeply in the eyes, narrowing with suspicion. "Who are you...?" Her voice was confused and angry for some reason. The weight pressing down on his scars made Ceres's eyes water with pain.

Ceres opened his mouth forming his response, "What's wrong?" But different words escaped his lips to what he had planned. Luna's horn had began to glow and she began to groan in pain. "My head... it hurts." Ceres's eyes widened as he witnessed Luna's eyes shift back and forth into a midnight blue to a reptilian azure. Instinctively Ceres pushed her off him and let her fall to the ground. Sprawled on the grassy ground Luna began to scream but no sound came out of her lips and from her horn moons and stars spilled from her horn like black reflections in black ink only to fade after a few instances of existence. Still no sound came even as she scratched and pounded at her skull at the apparent anguish on her face. Tears were flowing from her shifting eyes profusely.

The ordeal now began to form its crescendo. Ceres was in a world of moons and stars, the garden, the ground, Equestria was all gone. He walked in a world painted in a portrayal of the night sky The glow of Luna's horn now covering her body in a darkened sky blue miasma only to explode outwards shattering the midnight world she had created, bringing them both back to reality. Without hesitation he picked her up off the ground to sit her back on the bench. She sobbed a long while in his hoofs. With time they had relapsed in their original lain position. Relaxed and yet ever so slightly bewildered.

“I...” Luna’s eyes were tearing overflowing down her cheek and on his neck, scratches still prominent on her face. “She once said, I had immense magical talent. She use to praise me so much at how I could summon so many stars when it took all of Celestia’s power to summon just one.” Luna smiled at the memory, as if not noticing herself the overflowing tears washed over her wounds and washed away the scarred flesh. Understanding the queen's sentiment Ceres smiled at her words. The queen was not one to speak without sincerity.

“Celestia use to be so jealous then. But she clearly worked hard, since she could now summon moons and stars and done so for a thousand years.”

“Can you remember more?” Ceres spoke simply and on the command Luna concentrated. “I remember the day mother left. Something about Celestia being the ruler and how I was too young to take the throne. How I...” Luna put a hoof to her mouth.

“What’s wrong?” Ceres was beginning to feel Luna’s hot breathe on his neck as she panicked her breathing. “I...”

“Celestia was cruel." Tears began to well once more. "The unicorns ruled everypony, the pegasii raided foreign lands to expand... a sort of... solar empire. The earth ponies worked like slaves to their masters and taxed to near starvation. I...” The well of tears flowed once more. “I was old enough to rule, the ponies helped me found a new country. It was called the Lunar republic, named after me. So many ponies... so many dead ponies Ceres. It was horrible.”

“Keep going.” Ceres beckoned, it was cruel to make her but it had to be done. This was news he had missed out on. He had to know what became of Equestria after he and the queen left. “No... I can’t.” Ceres bit his lip in frustration.

“Luna please!” Ceres sat up and tears welled with the pain of the sudden movement. Looking into Luna’s own teary eyes. After a brief repose she nodded slowly and continued.

“Celestia won and I became a prisoner. No... We... It was a truce. We got sick of all the blood. I... I was sent to the moon and returned as a princess. Today is better now. Everypony helps each other with pegusii helping earth ponies work the land and unicorn research magic to help the people. Equestria is happy!” Luna curled up into a foetal position while Ceres left her there.

Everything made sense. During his travels he'd heard much of the many holidays they now celebrated in Equestria and the history and legends. The whole time none of it made sense, there was nothing in his knowledge of Equestrian history in it all. The people did know of a Queen that Celestia awaited but no one knew of the queen herself and her great conquests and deeds. A mix of shock and joy pumped in his blood rhythmic, the joy of progress was exciting but shock of the truth was daunting.

From this great war Luna mentioned and a bastardisation of other stories, it seemed everything was was retold over and over in past generations, until it eventually became the story of Hearth’s warming eve and the Mare on the moon and Nightmare night.  Luna was driven mad on the moon, returning as the crazed Nightmare moon that wanted eternal night because of the vague memories of the war against this solar empire. The elements of harmony sealed Luna’s memories to bring her back to sanity. What she remembers now could only be.

“They were dreams Luna. All dreams. You can calm down. They are all just bad dreams.” Ceres lied as he kissed Luna on the head. For her sanity they had to be dreams, at least for now.

“But in these dreams I sense in you a desire to rule Equestria; to be a ruler to bring happiness to her ponies.” Luna was beginning to calm down as Ceres helped her up her feet.

“I, as the herald of the queen mother find you worthy of the crown.” Ceres spoke this quietly within his embrace of the princess, as he spoke quietly into her ear. Luna’s eyes went wide at the proclamation and began to struggle at his hold.

“But the people reject you.” Due to Celestia’s lies, Ceres noted bitterly. “And so I recommend you step down your claim to the Equestrian crown.” It broke Ceres’s heart to see the beginnings of a smile shatter before his eyes.

“That... that would be best...” Luna’s head slumped down. But Ceres lifted it up so that they could once again meet eyes.

“However, until Celestia has proven herself worthy, I task you princess Luna to prepare to raise your claim when such a time as Celestia’s worthiness fails to show. Your mother has always believed in worthiness tested true than privilege and destiny. Maybe someday you will have your chance. As such I want you to be prepared for it.” With a kiss to her hoof Ceres began to walk away, walking towards his sword.

“I will always be watching!” Ceres turned his head around and spoke. “Should Equestria reach its darkest hour, it will be up to you to be a beacon in the darkness.” Fastening his sword on his shoulders he walked into the shadow of the night.

"Celestia. you have some answering to do."
> Celestia's heavy burden
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The dawn would rise at any moment. Celestia would rise and give light to the whole situation. He had to act fast, before she is needed to attend the royal court. Walking a purposeful walk Ceres began the long back track to the royal chambers where she slept. Every so often guards and servants would try to stop and question this fugitive or stranger, but he was above such pointless non-sense. For every person that passed by he left bodies in his wake to follow a trail behind him. Unconcious and most importantly non-disruptive.

Without so much as a knock or warning he entered silently into the room. He spied his new queen to the east outside the window. She began to push the window open so that she would fly in, finished in her work on making the sun rise. Ceres hid away all emotion from his face, his heart on the brink of exploding. Celestia was smiling at herself for a pleasant job done. It wasn’t to last when she met Ceres awaiting her. Concern marked her beautiful features.

“Your eyes are so red.” Ceres couldn’t help but raise a bewildered brow. “Oh, I mean they’re all blood shot and baggy.” Celestia giggled, hiding the girlish grin she wore with a regally placed hoof. “Did my sister’s company please you?” She was teasing him but Ceres couldn’t quite not hear the hint of jealousy in it.

“Your sister has declined the throne.” Celestia’s morning glee evaporated into the royal poker face.

“I see.” She turned her back, "Then I guess we must make arrangements for the coronation."

“Indeed, my queen.” Feeling the obligation to do so Ceres bowed low as per ancient Canterlot tradition, his voice in his royal court solemnity.

“But before that...” Ceres began. “I want you to tell me of your mother.” The royal poker face was formidable but Ceres knew that no pony can ever fully hide their emotions. Looking intently at her countenance Ceres noticed for the briefest moment Celestia’s eyes widened in surprise. There was an ugliness to it that simply rubbed him the wrong way.

Celestia refused to speak. So Ceres continued to speak.

“My knowledge of modern Equestrian history seems to give a sense of cognitive dissonance to my knowledge of ancient Equestrian history.” Ceres had now stood up and stared narrow eyed at Celestia who has broken in to a cold sweat. There was no way she could have prepared for this. Ceres had come so suddenly and his coming was so unlikely, as impossible as the queen mother’s death. As a ruler of a whole kingdom, witnessing things spiralling out of her control was a frightening and bitterly new experience.

“Luna has given me an idea of what occurred but before I find you worthy I must know the whole truth.” Why did he have to come now, just when she was beginning to walk the path of her redemption? She had hoped for Luna someday remembering it all and someday forgiving her for her horrible sins. She had created a whole new world in anticipation of it. And now it was going to be undone by a mere earthly colt.

“Your mother is not coming back Celestia. You do not have to pretend anymore. This kingdom is yours, but I will not let you until I have heard the truth. You can lie to your people if you so wish, but you will not lie to a herald of the alicorn royalty. You are no princess, ruling Equestria in a faux-co-rulership with her fellow princess Luna in some vain pretence at noble generosity. You are a queen and have been so for a very long time. I know you didn’t want to give the crown to Luna, hating the fact that she was favoured above yourself by the mother that you worshipped.”

Celestia was crying, guilt overflowing her with tears. She had done many horrible things and she just wanted to never be reminded of them again. To start anew with a new Equestria. It was naive to hope Ceres wouldn't notice this dark secret. Beyond all the reasons that had built up, this was why she dreaded to face her sister and for him to face her alone. But what she dreaded the most was this inevitable morning when she had to face the truth glaring guilt onto her.

“I can forgive all that, if you can face the truth.” Ceres was wiping away her tears and forcing her eyes to look forwards straight into his.

“Please, your highness. We shall face our demons together, as before.” Ceres held a hoof to her face and petted her gently. The tears in her eyes finally flowing into mere droplets now. Feeling a well of a new emotion rise Celestia kissed Ceres deeply. A new flood of tears coming down her cheeks, Ceres’s own now joining hers.

She parted their kiss for a moment

“Never leave me again.”

A burden she had carried on her own for so long suddenly felt so light with Ceres’s strong shoulders were there to be leant on.

“Never.” Ceres simply said.

-

Celestia was beginning to regain her composure now and Ceres was finally finding his true smile again, after so long.

“Meet me at the old church of harmony at dusk. I will show you the truth.”

A stampede of clopping hoofs were echoing down the hall towards the door. A single knocking came to the door.

“I’ll be there.” Ceres said while walking towards the door, a hoof ready to push it open. There was no need.

Upon hearing his voice, the royal guard entered the room in droves. He was surrounded in a phalanx of spears to his throat

“After I escape the dungeons.” He whispered under his breath. A single wink to Celestia made her understand his intentions.

“Ceres you bucking genius.” Ceres spoke to himself in the utter darkness.

There he was locked up in the castle dungeons in a tiny cell with from what he could grope only held a pile of hay. From that alone he guesses that that single pile of hay was for one to sleep in, eat out of and probably defecate into for some unfortunate stable boy to muck out at some point. But it didn’t matter he had no intention of staying long. Feeling the lethargy of hours of wakefulness he stretched out his legs and curled up into the bed of hay to sleep. He’d been up for a full twenty four hours and he wasn’t going to meet with Celestia until this evening. Not that he could gain any idea of what time of day it was anyway. Picking the option to remain vigilantly ready for that time or the prospect of whiling away the hours in sleep, his body made his choice for him. The moment his eye lids closed he was lost to every pony, barring a certain mare that frequented him with affectionate visitations. He slept with a grin that just wouldn’t leave his face.

-

Barring those few that are in the know, the Canterlot castle dungeons are a mystery to almost every living pony. Some say it holds enough jail cells to hold half of Canterlot under lock and key, others say it spans as far out as Canterlot itself. Others even suggest that it was expanded across history in such a haphazard way, that it had formed a labyrinthine design sectioning off to different themes and appearances, according to the era the expansions occurred. None however have proven such theories to be true.

Officially the only part of the dungeon ever used is a few blocks near the exit. None dare look further within lest they find themselves lost in the endless meandering labyrinth of darkness, joined amongst the abandoned dead that tried their luck escaping capture. With such a daunting place to be, no pony in their right minds would risk breaking the law, barring only petty crimes. In fact the law fears the place so much that only the most cut throat and dire criminals ever receive the punishment of imprisonment. Ceres having assaulted a castle full of civilians and soldiers alike, made him worthy of such an honour.

Celestia had very little involvement with the running of the dungeons. This honour was given to the prison warden of the castle, Night Stables. He was a hard worn, battle hardened stallion whose black eyes seemed to stare into your souls. Upon seeing Celestia’s approach, he adjusted his helm and halberd into attention looking the very part of an officer of the royal guard. Feeling the pressure of the princess’s slow approach he took the time to check himself further as he adjusted his silver mane patted and smoothed his coat lacerated scarred black coat.

“Good evening Night.” Celestia spoke with a polite bow, stopping at the doors that lead to the stairway into the dungeons. With Celestia looking at him so intently like she did, Night could hold back his beating heart and sweaty hoofs. Usually he’d shake the dignitary by the hand as a formal greeting, but given his state he refrained.

“G-good evening, your majesty. I hope the sunset went well as your usual.” Celestia looked up and realised that there were no windows around the corridors towards the dungeons. Mayhaps she would have that remedied. “May I ask what business you have with one such as I?” The question brought her back into focus.

“Royal business. I decree a full pardon to the prisoner taken to the dungeons this morning.” Night’s eyes narrowed in puzzlement.

“You mean that fugitive you’ve been wanting? I hear they’ve been trying to capture that one for days. May I ask what grounds is this pardon under?” Stupid stupid stupid! This is why you aren’t an officer anymore. No good soldier questions their commanding officer. This is why you were demoted to this dead end job!

“Two days to be precise and it was all a misunderstanding. Though, he was indeed violent to everypony this morning, but no one was truly harmed.” Night simply raised his brow.

“I heard he downed a whole company of soldiers and drove of servants. How can he-”

“Warden. This is important royal business.” Celestia flashed a small glare as her ire began to show.

“Y-yes your highness of course.” Night upholstered his key and opened the door.

“The pony in question held a sword. Where is it being stored?” Celestia was half way into the doorway before she remembered to ask. 

“The armoury is one floor below you highness. Just ask the guards stationed there for it.” Celestia flashed the royal smile and walked fully into the darkness. She closed the door behind her with magic and heard the resolute click of the door’s lock.

All the prison guards were unicorns who have become use to using their magic to constantly illuminate for long periods of time. It had become second nature to them. As ever they talked about mares and flanks and plots, like real stallions would.

“So guys what do you think of the princesses eh? I mean dat plot mmm!”

“I would have to say Luna is best pony. Celestia is just...” The guard trailed off and saw a golden glow coming from up the stairs. As a security measure, the colour of all the guard lights were to change accordingly as to spot intruders and strangers faster. Today’s colour was white. Nearly all of the guards spotted this light and silently watched. One continued to talk.

“What are you talking about dude? Celestia is so hot! Man... If I were given the chance I would rut that so good...” He didn’t stop speaking until Celestia was in plain sight and the other guards kneeling low seemingly from his perspective... to him.

“What is your name guard?” The guard’s golden mane and orange coat stood on ends, petrified by that sultry voice. The colt in question looked to his friends for help but they just bowed low. He could try thinking up of a fake name or using some other ponies name but he’d probably be punished for fraud. He could pretend to be mute but that might offend the princess. A sleigh of other terrible ideas came but eventually it came to only one conclusion. Honesty was the best policy.

“Night Light, your holy goddess of hotness beauty regal grace and high majesty-ness.” Fearing for his well being Night rambled on. In his mind he was thinking to speak something really clever to get him out his situation but all that came to mind was his libido over flowing out of his mouth. He was crying rivers of tears out of fear and horror and he liked it.

“Any relation to the guy upstairs.” Night pursing his lips to hold back a jab about godliness, he simply nodded. Celestia looked down at him for a long moment before turning her attention to another guard, clearly deciding that she was getting nowhere with him.

“I would like to have the sword you retrieved from the prisoner of this morning. And I need a guide to show me where he is.” The other guards merely looked at each other to silently nominate their spokesperson. But Night not missing a beat galloped into the armoury and retrieved the sword.

“I will volunteer to lead you your highness.” He spoke with a deep voice his expression a mock expression of manliness on the colt’s childish face. Celestia looked to the other guards. She was given a collective shrug. Rolling her eyes Celestia began to walk to the stair way once more to go down to the dungeon level, Night darted ahead.

Meandering about as if on instinct Night walked a path visible to only him. Unicorn light could only pierce the darkness so far and yet he knew every turn and corner before he could even see it. The journey took what seemed like ages but eventually they were there. Ceres sensing the glow on his closed eyes he was welcomed by the vision of Celestia, and a guard opening his cell door while he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

“You may leave now.” Expecting some sort of praise for his impressive navigation skills, he frowned when deprived.

“But your highness! You need me to find the exit again.” He said worriedly.

“Are you implying I don’t know my own castle?” Celestia rose to her full stature, letting her royal gaze bring forth the fear it was due.

“No highness. I will take my leave as you command.” The colt bowed low in response.

“Tell the guards I won’t be back until morning.” Ceres and Night widened their eyes in bewilderment.

“Tia what are you saying!” Upon realising Celestia blushed, Ceres blushed and the boy blushed. The colt turned around mechanically and then began to gallop away.

“Boy!” Celestia called out, to her relief that she was still within ear shot.

“Night Light, right? I will remember that name.”

“If you wish my name worthy to your highness!” The colt yelled before continuing his run.

Celestia turned to tend Ceres and found him smugly grinning at her.

“You little heart breaker!”

Celestia took out his clothes from under her wing and threw them to him. The smugness vanished from his face.

“I heard as much, yes.” Celestia replied, stabbing Ceres’s sword between his hind legs.

-

The two wondered about looking for landmarks to indicate their location. They would stop for moment to confirm their location on a map Celestia brought, and then they would off again. That is until Ceres took point and wound around the familiar path ways like he had always done in eons past. For awhile Celestia was lagging behind plotting their seemingly random route on her map but eventually she merely gave up. Letting the parchment fall to the ground, Celestia joined in Ceres’s gallop, putting all of her faith in him to the test.

“We’re here.” his gallop became a trot until he stopped dead at a dead end. Before them was nothing but a blank stone wall but both knew better. Ceres walked forward taking a deep breath. By his presence the wall reacted as glowing runes of the ancient Equestrian tongue marked the wall. The scar on Ceres’s back began to burn and he gritted against the pain until it burst into light like that of a burning sun. With a strength of immense will he began to speak evenly.


“Harmony within the earth
that makes tranquillity in the heavens,
the elements of creation and engine of life.
I am thy herald and servant to thy light.
By friendship you are magic.
By nature you are all I am
Find me worthy
And thy will be done.”


The wall burst into a white light and without hesitation both walked into the wall of light, leaving the darkness behind them.

“My part is done. Now lead me to the truth that you promised me.”

“Will you walk the aisle with me paladin?” spoke Celestia taking the lead to walk the central path of the church.

“I will walk the nave.” As Ceres began to walk the central path

“I missed someone knowing these things.” Celestia said, giving a small peck to Ceres’s cheek.

From a world darkness to place of holy illumination, the placed glowed as if the stones themselves gave light. Everything was made of purest white marble and designed with such great acoustics that their voices seemed loud and resonant. Each one of their steps echoed as they began their approach to the altar. The whole place was bare, if one hadn’t the eye for detail you could easily mistake the whole place being a world of endless white spanning long into some unknown horizon. But no, looking hard enough it was indeed a church, not that any pony would know what those were. There were the aisles to the side the nave in the middle and benches called pews in between them. Ahead was a raised platform that was the altar and on the farthest wall there stood the only piece of decoration.

“It was just how I remembered it.”

On the farthest wall was the most beautiful painting you would ever see in all of Equestria. It was the city of Canterlot in winter, if you gave it a quick glance. But it was in fact an eerie world of clouds and snow. With the sky the azure blue you would remembered a glow with the light of a million tiny stars and the sun shining on the east. And on the west the half moon shining down opposite.

“The Equestria under the queen mother’s embrace.”

On the bottom right corner there was simply a quote instead of the artist’s signature, Harmony in the earth that makes tranquillity in the heavens. 

“Let me work my magic, my love.” Celestia nudged Ceres out of the way gawking at awe of the masterpiece he was seeing. With Celestia’s horn a glow, the painting seemed to react to her. It wasn’t as dramatic as turning to light this time. Instead the frame merely came out with glowing runic text that recited Ceres’s prayer. Ceres’s continued to gawk until he saw Celestia fly into the painting. Knowing that he was meant to, he followed suit with a running jump.

They had entered a mirror image of the room they were in before, that may have sounded strange to a pony that saw only a symmetrical room but to Ceres it was the truth. The room had changed. For one thing the painting was had changed into an image of the original room with a mirage translucent layered image of the original image. There was also something new in the room. At the end of the alter there was a podium holding a leather bound tome.

“This is it. The history of all of Equestria.” Celestia spoke using her magic to flip through the pages.

“I want to read it all from the beginning.” Looking furiously at what words he could making out as the pages flipped.

“We only have one night to read this. So I will just skip about so that I can abridge it.” Celestia brought the book to her as she began to find the pages she needs. Ceres was adamant to know all of it and gave her a solid out right nod of a no.

“I will not miss my demons my love. I promise.”

> Utopian Equestria
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So you'll read this word for word I take it?" Ceres tried to peek into the rummaging pages as Celestia's magic flipped each page.

"Ceres, this tome is over a million words long! That would take days. I will only use it as reference." At Ceres's words Celestia slammed the book and made way towards the front row of pews.

"But-" Ceres tried to protest but with a will of her magic Celestia made a point to open the book at a random page so that she could slam the book closed before his face. 

"Do you doubt that I know the contents of my own book?" The kicked up dust had Ceres coughing and wiping dust from his eyes.

"We'll have to see. Recount the history I know. Of the Equestria your mother knew."

"As you wish." Said Celestia as she scanned through the pages once more, occasionally nodding to herself before placing the book to her side.

Looking to Ceres, she had found that he was making himself comfortable sitting on the raised platform, keeping eye level to Celestia. Satisfied that he was ready to hear Celestia began to recite.

In the beginning the world was of chaos. This was a time when creatures like Discord were a common thing, as demons and deities fought epic battles for control over the land, to shape in however they all wished. In this time ponies were a nomadic people, savages who lived lives that were a far cry of the civilised society we live. Eating simple foods such as grass and shrubbery where ever we could, all the while running, ever galloping across the land for greener grass and more open plains.

Until one day a single tribe of unicorns united the surrounding ponies, where for the first time they settled and founded the first city. Unicornia. The gods willing, the earth ponies tended the land so that grass was aplenty. The war-like pegusii patrolled the borders and fought back the chaotic hordes with ice and lightning and bloody hoof. While the unicorns brought order to the time and space of which ponies lived. Letting the earth fertile for food to grow and letting time flow orderly as they formed the early forms of night and day. Times of only light and darkness of which no sun or moon were born as of yet.

This was a good time, with ponies growing in numbers and bringing with them new foods and new cultures and traditions from various foreign lands. Unicornia starting off as a mere settlement had turned into a great kingdom with a capital of the same name. Soon after the other clans formed the cities of Pegasopolis and Earth of which fiefdoms and nobles spread across the lands there after. Although ponies now had a safe haven to gather, life was still hard. Everyday ponies lived and died in droves against the forces of chaos and frankly, they were merely too weak to fight them off forever. Soon, the income of immigrant ponies dwindled to a trickle resulting in Unicornia coming on brink of disaster. It would only take one major attack to sweep the kingdom and all of pony kind out of existence. Star Light the unicorn king, ruler of ponykind despaired.

However love had found a way. Through the union of the pegusus lord Star Fire and unicorn princess Twinkle, new life had come into being. She would be the hope of pony kind and to dated history the first and greatest alicorn ever born.

When this child had come of age, she was gifted power beyond those any pony could fathom. In one hoof the elements were her willing slaves as windigoes and halcyons listened to her beck and call. The other hoof she willed the birth of the sun and the moon, bringing forth the magic of the land giving it the name, harmony. With all of pony kind behind her she drove the demons of the world to the far off land of Tartarus. The frozen hell of which to this day the alicorn's enchanted denizens still work to seal the ancient evils within. It had been a long campaign but with finality, pony kind knew peace. With it came new problems.

Politics were an evil that will never leave pony kind. In this time the three clans vied for power. Seeing as their unique abilities were an asset to pony kind, they drove to threaten all with disaster should they refuse to give their services. The earth ponies refused to tend the land, the pegasii refused to tame the weather and the unicorns asserted their rule with threats of magic. Arguments became feuds and then finally outright civil war. Growing weary of this bickering, the first alicorn left the land.

With her absence, the first winter came.

The land had become uninhabitable, with the constant snow the skies and earth grew cold and hard. Too hard to till the land and too cold for what meagre crops could germinate. Out of their desperation they fought, stealing and pillaging from each other for whatever little they could muster. Until it finally dawned on them, the pony population dwindling to its last few, they finally remembered. This land survived only on harmony and through their friendship they survived the evils of the world. With the warmth of ponies huddling together in the open plains, they silently began to prayed.

By the warmth of their hearts and faith, the first alicorn heard their calls. She had returned. But the snow refused to cease and all worried for their lives. She held no such fear as she showed all with a single hoof, how she remade the land. A land of eternal snow, warm to the touch and magical in nature. In this utopia the heavens fused with the earth, as snow and cloud became indistinguishable. The land grew life upon itself forming forests and lakes and rivers.

It wasn't long until other creatures gathered in the land to live amongst pony kind in peace and harmony. Each pony now knowing their place, bowed to their queen and by her will they worked together to form the kingdom of Equestria.


"That was... certainly abridged. But I hear no falsehood from it." Ceres nodded seemingly satisfied.

"Naturally, we've little time and it would be redundant to speak in detail." Celestia spoke out simply, Ceres agreeing with no doubt to him. This was best, he wasn't the kind to marvel at dreary and long stories. He liked things concise with the facts of the matter given unto him. Frivolous details censored until such a need for enquiry of them.

"Continue."
> The First Equestrian War
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For generations the new kingdom of Equestria knew peace. It knew absolute utopia as ponies of every kind lived lives with a smile on their face. They laughed and played, protected by the watchful motherly eyes of what we all assumed was the eternal queen mother. In her reign she had done so much, like teach the mortal ponies the magic of harmony giving eventual birth for the religion. Even revealing how with purity of the soul, the magic would give one everlasting life. She built more cities and more forests and ice lakes and mountains, shaping and nurturing the land to, at the time, some unknown purpose.

You were there witnessing me and my sister's foalhood. Creations of the sun and of the moon, taking heir essence as their seed and our mother giving shape to us in her own image. I remember days of when you and I would sit side by side watching the horizon to the east, watching the sun rise at my calling. It was so hard and you were there to help me feel at ease as I fumbled with the cosmos like the foal I was.

"I remember Celestia. They were the best days of my life. However..." Ceres gave her an even look. You are delaying the truth. He didn't need to say it to be understood. Celestia felt a cold sweat tingle down her spine and she grimace with discomfort. But with effort she resolved to obey.

Equestria was having a crisis, after millennia of peace and tranquillity, change was dawning on the horizon. The snow that had blanketed the world in a protective cocoon had began to melt and the waters began to form the rivers and lakes that we know. We were literally witnessing before our eyes, the essence of life escaping us. But this changed revealed onto us a new beauty, full of flowers and greenery. The early days of the Equestria we knew today, the land saturated with the magic of harmony. As these things were developing, me and my sister had grown, perfectly attuned to our respective celestial bodies as we thus far had merely dutied ourselves with the night and day.

Mother had been raising us with the promises of a someday, of a time when she would end her rule and let the ruling of Equestria fall onto one of them. She spoke of how their foalhood would define their suited role and destiny in life, and a mark upon everypony there after will symbolise this revelation. Luna was the first of all the ponies, to get her cutie mark and her magic made her out to be a prodigy. Mother was so proud. And I merely brought the sun into the sky. With you I kept a quiet vigil over the land while Luna went off to play with our people. I oft wonder that if I had not met you... Nay I hold no regrets loving you Ceres. I'm sorry I'm being a foal.

In any case, Luna was the clear favourite. So when that fateful day when mother left and you to follow her I knew what her decision would be. On the eve of her journey she came to me and gave me the crown, the crown once worn by the unicorn king and every other ruler there after. She reasoned that because of Luna's young age, she was not yet ready to rule the land. As such I would be her steward and rule in her stead until such a time came when she came of age. I couldn't believe it. I had long since resigned to the idea that I would not wear this crown. I knew that this was my mother giving unto me an opportunity.

And so, with you and the queen mother gone. I resolved to rule Equestria, to solidify my mark on pony history as the greatest ruler to ever live. Luna would be denied the throne by the people while I demonstrated that I was the most fit to rule. I had hoped that my mother would return to this land and either officially claim it to be truth or retake the throne back onto herself. I wanted anything but Luna to wear the crown.

... I, I guess to this day I still feel that.

"In hindsight I guess I should have sensed your concern. If only I had stayed, just as I had requested... " Just what were you thinking your highness? You knew you were doing this to her. But the questions were pointless. She was gone now. Ceres could only assume that this was some part of her grand scheme, something that was just too grand and elaborate for mortal minds to fathom the greater good it would cause. "Carry on."

An age of conquest came onto Equestria, within a century I had expanded Equestria's borders to tenfold it's size. Many a pony praised my name as they reaped the benefits of this boon. The country's wealth tripled each year and mastery of crafts had taken leaps and bounds. In the eyes of the ponies, I was the sole ruler of the land and I was the one chosen to succeed the queen mother. Which technically wasn't a lie.

"You're still holding back. Celestia..." Ceres's eyes narrowed. "Speak."

Celestia's mouth tried to speak but no words would come out. What he would think of her after he knew the truth. The ugliness of her soul, the cruelty and death. He would name her monster. She simply wouldn't be able to bare it if he hated her. The one pony that she valued above herself. Oh how she had forgotten this love in her heart... how he missed his presence in such countless millennia.

Celestia tried as she might but she cried, like her whole world was about to crumble. Ceres began to walk towards the future queen and open his mouth. But no words left him.

"That's enough Ceres." A voice rang out in the room. Down the aisle by the grand entrance of the church stood Luna.

"Sister... how?"

"I see a thousand years of living such an eventful life has dulled your memory. Canterlot is not the only place with a church of harmony.Though technically this is the temple, and this room is the preacher's chapel." By look on Celestia's face, that wasn't what she wanted to know, Luna switched her mindset to answer her sister inquiry.

"After the encounter with Ceres, I opt to pray and dwell on my thoughts." Luna's tone seemed so certain and confident. It seemed so unlike her. Her stride like that of a true regal being, an undeniable presence and prominence like that of a full moon. This was not the filly that was released from the shell of nightmare moon.

"I remember everything." This was Luna, the daughter of the Queen mother.

Desperate to solidify her rule, Celestia ordered the royal guard to go forth and conquer new lands. Everything she said was true, the kingdom indeed gain an economic boom as our lands expanded. But the war required much of the profits to fuel itself. The earth ponies were taxed heavily to feed the army. And the unicorns lived a life of decadence as they merely sat there bathing in the money and commanding of these great armies to the great forefront, to pillage and burn so that their wealth would grow.

Droves of ponies died and the pegusii and unicorn population drastically fell. As were the few alicorn born from them. The death toll had gotten so bad the mainstay of the Equestria military had to be remade. For the first time Earth ponies were forcefully enlisted to join the campaigns, taxes increased and the ponies to maintain the kingdom had lessened. From that alone, one could tell that disaster was looming. A kingdom wide famine was inevitable.

Foreseeing this outcome I, even as a filly, knew that this was coming. And so I fled the new city of Canterlot and rallied the ponies into rebellion, founding the Lunar republic in the old capital within the Everfree. My forces worked to live self-sufficiently, toiling our small crop of land to make food for ourselves to feed a slowly increasing army. I however could not foresee this in person and so I lived in the Canterlot castle, ruling from afar. I was biding my time for the inevitable coup.

It was only when Commander Hurricane ascended to commander general of the royal equestrian military, did the problems start. On a single fateful day, the secret micro-nation that was the Lunar republic was discovered. Private Pansy of the Equestrian army had recounted the events through a secret letter, delivered to me by my best friend Clover the clever. The news shocked and appalled me.

Smart cookie, an earth pony who acted as the chosen leader of the community of the republicans, attempted for peaceful talks and trade treaties. However these were out rightly rejected like so many kingdoms before it. After all, why barter for trade when you could simply take the place and all it can offer. To be concise, the resulting battle was a slaughter and the Lunar ponies scattered across Equestria. Now without a nation to call their own, they quickly formed a rebellion instead.

That day was the soon-to-be Solar empire's declaration of war.

Years later princess Platinum had taken over as the leader of the unicorns, but opt to refrain from the title of queen out of respect for the land's ruler, princess Celestia. She was the mind behind the war, the genius tactician that commanded the forces of commander Hurricane's forces, hunting down denizens of the Lunar republic. She even found the laws that made it illegal to speak my name and that Equestria be renamed the Solar empire in defiance to the supposed republic. It seems the echoes of that time still show as to this day few ponies refer to me as Luna and instead call me by my war title "Nightmare moon" out of habit.

In this whole period. I was a prisoner of my own home, under suspicion of plotting a coup. Until this very moment Celestia has never confirmed it. But yes I confess now that I did intend to take the throne intending to stick to mother's grand plan, that Celestia has deviated from. But under these conditions of house arrest, I was isolated from my people, kept without visitors or letters.

However, general Smart cookie had eventually hatched a rescue plot to free me from my prison. Private Pansy had somehow managed to join the guard that kept me under guard and plotted to aid my escape. However, from the orders of princess Platinum, or rather the recommendation of the unicorn princess, I was to be executed that night as a sign of, "killing the head of the rebellion." Celestia was ignorant of this order I later learned, and she knew too late to amend things.

Private Pansy was one of the most gentle ponies you would know, however being born as a pegasus she was fated to be enlisted into the military. She hated every minute of it, of the battling and killing and endless spilling of blood. And then she met Smart cookie and began to hope. To see a peace beyond what truly was Tartarus in Equestria. It kept her pure and innocent and good inside, however she was a soldier and killing was in the occupation. She would do it unfeeling and endlessly feel regret and sadness afterwards. However, when she was given the honour of redeeming her "treachery" as princess Platinum put it, if she killed me, she would be pardoned of her crimes. Although Pansy didn't know it, princess Platinum was merely trying to make a scapegoat out of her. To put the blame on Pansy, so that the republic may die, the rebellion may die and the unicorns continue to prosper in their blood soaked money.

That night, princess Platinum was killed. Private Pansy had lost all faith in her people, she had often talked about convincing his fellow royal guards to joining the cause and saving Equestria from themselves. But nay, no pony would listen, they were too far fallen. Everypony of the empire had to die. Private Pansy hated killing, but she had such a great talent for it. A room of twenty guards were decimated in her rage with Princess Platinum being the first pony to go.

They escaped and the news spread like wild fire. All over Equestria ponies began to pick sides choosing between the death of the princess as a tragedy or a miracle. The unicorns rallied to the empire, adding their personal wealth and forces to the military to avenge the death of their princess. While many pegusii joined in the rally of the earth ponies, instigated by Chancellor Puddinghead. Later to be known by many other government officials as Puddinghead the mad, speaking of how the tyrannical taxation and starvation of ponies had to end. How the death of the princess is the symbol for change, the expression of the demand of change.

Celestia had an army of ponies rallying for her head and there were other ponies rallying to kill her sister. Neither of us had any power to stop the war, the ponies were riled and looking for blood. The mindset that sparked that war was that one of them had to die, and they had ponies willing to do it. And so with my reluctance, the war began unhindered with the desire for peace.
> Modern History
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ceres was silent for a long time, deep in contemplation. Luna sat next to Celestia, who was hiding herself from view weeping at the shame of her past. Luna grimaced with guilt for being the one to speak what Celestia fear to tell. She consoled as best she could but for all her kind words and gestures, Celestia was deaf to all of it.

"You make it sound like this conflict was thrust upon you both." Ceres raised his head and began. Luna met Ceres's doubtful stare with her sincerity. She was telling the truth, there was no way Ceres could intimidate her away from that fact.

"If your account is true, the machinations of this princess Platinum is implying it was all her fault." Celestia hid behind her wings, knowing the fact of the matter. When all is said and done, it was Celestia's ambition that started it all. Every pony present knew this.

"But it wasn't, was it. You both had the power to stop this conflict at it's initial stage, but instead you opt to use your people for your own agenda!" Luna's resolute stare faltered into a downcast. Now she too felt shame at the truth. He was right. Princess Plantinum may have had power over the people, but Celestia had power over her. There was no denying that Celestia could sense the drive of this tyrannical unicorn. The evil in her heart and the corruption of her people. With but a few words and assertion of her power, Celestia could have stopped it. They both could have. Celestia too blind by the shine of her glorious achievements to see the dark shadow it cast on her people. Luna too lost in her own shadow to speak out the will of the people that looked to her for help. She could have protested against Celestia, negotiated with her, dealt with this juvenile jealousy her elder sister has held. Instead they let mere mortal ponies conspire to have them fight each other.

"Neither of us wanted something as extreme as civil war." Luna looked to Celestia for agreement and she found it.

"But it was the only way I could see to stop the conflict." Celestia finished her sister's statement.

"Fight to stop the fighting. The eternal conundrum." Ceres smiled at those words. As a soldier he'd often thought about this. About how utopia of peace and harmony could be achieved so easily with power. Power was something that ponies look to. They cultivate, collaborate and intimidate with the use of their power. Pegusii intimidated earth ponies to work the land and the fear of the magic of the unicorns had both other races serve the supposed higher class. And then the alicorns came to rule them all with their power. Fighting was the result of two opposing powers conflicting until the strong is left.

Perhaps true and pure utopia is impossible. Ceres thought bitterly.

"I want to hear the rest of it. Before I make my final decision, I want to know that I had acted while fully informed."

Luna looking to Celestia was replied with a step back from the elder sister. Luna step forward.

The nation was divided in two by the banners of the Solar empire and the Lunar republic. Each year ponies died in their millions by the sheer brutality of the conflict. Many years had past and with my role in the conflict as a general that lead my ponies from the front, my mastery of magic was refined to a keen point. I had founded a new form of magic that transformed me, saturating my body with pure power. Eventually becoming the war goddess Nightmare moon. However such strength had come with a price, channeling my desire for victory and death and hatred of the sun. My mind had warped to wish for the goal of eternal night. It was obsession gnawing at me to madness as I cut a swathe across the land with my ponies charging at my command. Those closest to me exposed themselves to the influences of my dark power, mutating them into creatures of the night.

However despite all my gains, I in one fatal battle in Canterlot, with the whole of Equestria in its knees. The Lunar republic lost the war when Celestia founded the elements of harmony with the remaining clergy of Priesthood of harmony. And with their power. I alone was defeated and banished to the moon, soon after my forces quickly folded.

Stewing away a thousand years on the moon. I could only think of one thing. My goal for eternal night, in my twisted mind I had even deluded myself in thinking no pony wanted my night. As with each passing year no pony, came to help my escape so that I may once again use my power on Equestria. Upon my return and.the purification of my body to my original form. Most of my memories had been all but hidden away, deep in the recesses of my mind because of this obsession.

"Now Celestia. what became of Equestria after the war." Ceres grimaced as Celestia struggled to control the bout of shame that was once again beginning to rise with each glimpse of Ceres before her.

"Celestia!" A loud slap echoed through the air as Luna smacked a hoof across Celestia's face. Instance a red bruise marred her features, but any hesitation she had had vanished to make way for anger. Realisiung the direction she was going, she resigned to retaliate and found herself with much needed clarity of though.

"When you're ready." Ceres spoke simply, hoping that that action would distract from Luna's good intentioned antagonising.

Celestia made a point to look at both ponies. They intended nothing, as they looked attentively at her. Taking in a deep breathe she began to recount her greatest sin.

The kingdom had suffered major losses from the war. The population has gone down to one tenth of it's original size and with it the borders of Equestria had halved in size. Much of the land had become infertile from the tainting of so much pony blood on the earth. And so the kingdom suffered the long predicted famine and depression. However with great minds like Clover the clever, Smart cookie and the mad genius of Puddinghead the mad Equestria had recovered well enough within a decade.

However not everypony of the republic and the now disbanded empire could be reformed into peacetime as the once gentle Pansy, was imprisoned for his endless list of war crimes and eventually executed for his continued murderous behaviour. Several thousand had to die for the very same reasons, lost to the madness of war.

Taking blame for the death of princess Platinum, I took it upon myself to adopt the war orphaned Silver blood. I intended to teach this heir of the unicorn ponies and by extension the rest of ponykind to the ideals of peace and the horrors of war. Somewhere along the way, it seems that I had ended up with prince Blue blood...

However, my wishes were being undermined. Two hundred years after the banishment of Nightmare moon. Ponies taught their children of my tyrranical rule and the past conquests of Equestria. New generations were being taught that I was a horrible ruler who with the power of fear and might, would make every pony suffer the horrors of war, so that my glory could be known throughout the world. How I plotted to bring about another age of conquest and make the people suffer once more with war and famine. That I was merely biding my time, gathering the strength of my kingdom until it was ready for war once more.

And so, I founded the educational system. teaching ponies of the histories of Equestria and of art, literature and fancy mathematics. Slowly I would reform, the facts, reshape history, turning facts in myths, legends into facts and lies into the undeniable truth. A whispering effect had took hold the land, as story were told and retold and reformed and reimagined. Until one day, the tyrannical queen was called Nightmare moon who I banished to the moon. The windigoes of the first alicorn united the three tribes and that I was born from princess platinum and commander hurricane.

Lies upon lies upon lies upon lies.

Before I knew it, my sister was a monster and the ponies loved me as their goddess. I had achieved this utopia and had given the elements of harmony the purpose of defending this peace loving land from evil.

"You know... before I came to Canterlot I had wondered all over Equestria. Every pony I saw had smiles on their faces. People were nice to each other and ponies felt safe to laugh. Law is enforced fairly and barely any pony at all found the need to resort to do bad things. At best I found petty things here and there. Pranks and jokes and jabs." Ceres looked to Luna and she understood completely.

"The ponies of the past refused to give you a second chance and so you had to resort to... unconventional methods. As I see it, a prospering kingdom like this is a testament to the merit of it's ruler. I stand by my decision to elect you the ruler and Queen of Equestria."

Luna stood besides him and they held hoofs. "And I see that your sister Luna agrees with such a decision."

However, should the power go to your head as it has in the past. We will be ready to stop you.