> Who Rules?: The Ascended
>  by Nom_deCheval
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter One
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------





Who Rules?: The Ascended
by Nom deCheval



Chapter One


The birds were singing, the wind was blowing, the grass was growing, and all of this was being done without the aid of magic or ponies at all. Such was life in the Everfree Forrest, and it was one of the main reasons why this odd, unnatural place just outside Equestria frightened all of the ponies that lived in the magical land.

Except of course for the inhabitant wandering through the woods with a large basket of herbs balanced upon her flank. It was though the oddities of this place seemed natural to her, and she seemed natural to them. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that she was so frightening to the inhabitants of nearby Ponyville for so many months. Perhaps it was just her foreign appearance to those ponies. Whatever the case, once the ponies learned more about the zebra and her ways, Zecora became a welcome visitor to their small town.

Her familiar little hut welcomed her as she stepped inside, sunlight spilling in through the organically shaped windows and lighting the room. She shuffled through the smallish confines, bucking her hip at just the right moment to shift the basket from herself to the large counter along one wall. Mindlessly, the zebra began to hum a tune that was familiar to her, but unrecognizable to residents from this area of the world.

Zecora began to place the items she had gathered into their own unique and special containers, mostly gourds that had been hollowed out and given new purpose. Muskroot and nighthazel. Tempestuous vine and allpenny flowers. Boxwing and satinkey. All of them were sorted quickly and precisely, locked away to keep them fresh and ready for use. And there was one that Zecora left for last. A dirt-covered root that twisted and turned upon itself multiple times, lacing around but never touching another part of its own structure. Smallish, not quite a full hoof across, it looked fragile and delicate, despite its obvious earthy qualities. Zecora took a few steps away from the counter and picked up an intricately decorated box of darkened wood, its surface dotted with the same tribal style markings that rested on the zebra’s flank. She opened the box, withdrew a small but gleamingly bright blade and carefully moved it above the root. She studied for a moment, not rushing this action, and then decisively moved it down to slice through a section of the root. She replaced the blade back into the box, and then moved the remainder of the root to rest in it as well. Picking up the root cautiously in her hoof, she spoke.

“To find some twist of fate is lucky for me,
And for a moment it will allow a vision to see.”

Moving to the ever-bubbling cauldron that dominated the center of the hut, Zecora dropped the tiny bit of plant into the liquid, moving up to watch as it quickly dissolved into the vat.

“Now work your magic, root most rare,
A glimpse of the future is my fare.”

She stood there, her face tensing as her eyes grew in anticipation. A light blossomed inside the churning contents below her, casting shadows up her face, like the figure of a ghost story told around a campfire to foals everywhere. And then the images began to appear. The light started with the colors of a blissful morning and Zecora smiled, but her face fell as the color shifted. It moved from the subdued softness into a bright flare and grew to a full flame red, and the zebra’s eyes reflected the change with tears starting to well.

“No, no! This cannot come around!
The world itself must remain sound.
A false future this is most surely,
The cauldron I trust has done quite poorly.
Again I must try, as many times as needed,
To see that the fate revealed isn’t so seeded.
The horror I saw must not so bend,
Something must stop that one to ascend.”

Zecora turned towards her work counter and began to bring out container after container ignoring the normal care and caution that she maintained. Small bowls were filled with powders and herbs, potions were mixed, and the cauldron was used again and again, as the mystic tried to find the answer to the most important question she ever asked.

Sleep was not a luxury she would be able to afford for the following days.

* * * * *

Rarity fell onto the bed, laughing hysterically, as the familiar feel of her lover’s body fell beside her, not quite laughing.

“I do NOT appreciate you laughing,” Trixie said in her best angry voice. “The ruffian deserved everything that happened to him, but I most certainly did not!”

“Darling, that’s just the point. I truly believe that he didn’t see you at all, which made him tripping over you and spilling the cupcakes that much more delightful. Of course, you instantly demanding satisfaction and challenging an earth pony baker to a magical duel was priceless as well, especially when you finally realized that he couldn’t do it.”

“You’re mocking me.” Trixie’s voice flattened.

“No! Not at all.” Rarity suppressed her laughter for all of two seconds before the giggling started. “Okay, yes, a little perhaps. But, darling it was so...funny. And seeing you so ready to defend your honor was frightfully entertaining.”

“He ruined my cape.” She was still less than happy.

“Your old cape, I might add. I have crafted you not one, but three new capes, and yet you always wear that tired, old, blue one. I thought you came to me because you admired my skills as a seamstress?”

“Trixie likes this cape!” She defended.

“I’m sure you do, but don’t you like the ones that I made for you?”

“Of course I do!”

“Well then,” Rarity’s horn glowed and the cape on her lover was suddenly pulled from its host and tossed across the room where if fell in a pile, “you don’t need to be wearing that old thing.”

Her eyes narrowed as she looked down at the white unicorn. “Trixie almost thinks that you planned for that, just to get rid of her favorite cape.”

“I assure you, I did no such thing!” Rarity’s eyes bulged. “I hardly know anyone in Canterlot. How would I accomplish such a thing?”

“You are a tricky one.”

“This coming from you? Darling, I’m flattered.”

Scanning down her own body, Trixie furrowed her brow with what she saw. “Excellent. Not only is my cape ruined, but I got icing all over myself, too. Now I’m going to have to bathe.”

A twinkle of light came on in the white unicorn’s eye. “You don’t actually HAVE to you know...”

Rarity didn’t wait for a reply, moving her head down a little to the first visible spot of frosting that rested on Trixie, lapping it up in a slow sensual lick. Her eyes spotted another dab on the neck and moved over to remove it. This time she brought her lips down to cover the frosting completely, sucking the sweetness into her mouth and pulling a gasp from the mare beneath her.

From there Rarity never let her mouth or tongue leave Trixie’s coat. Kissing or licking her way from small spot of frosting to tiny dollop of cake, she moved with careful precision from place to place, making sure to enhance each moment with as much passion as possible. Slowly, she raised her head and looked towards the other mare.

“Will Trixie allow me to pleasure her?” she asked, batting her eyelashes softly.

“Trixie insists upon it,” the mare answered in a husky tone, looking down her body at her willing lover.

With her eyes still looking up, Rarity moved down in a series of kisses, finally reaching her destination between the mare’s hind legs. Only then did she look down and begin to plant the kisses with more aimed precision, targeting the area around Trixie’s sex. Careful not to actually touch the swollen cleft, Rarity let her lips come to rest along first the right side of the slit, and then--purposely dragging her muzzle lightly across the lips, eliciting a short gasp--she covered the flesh on the left. And then she repeated this with her tongue. And then her teeth.

This was not a contest for Trixie. This was a time of joy, where she allowed herself to be herself and not a show pony. She let her defenses down and let this one pony get close to her--the true her. 

Rarity could smell the excitement coming from her lover’s marehood. She moved her hooves up to come to rest on the cutie marks on Trixie’s flank, and then brought her lips down to place the first direct, gentle kiss on the mare’s nether lips. A groan this time, bringing a bigger smile to Rarity’s face. Pulling on the labia with her lips, she parted them, one at a time, opening up the flower before her.

Her tongue snaked out, gently lapping from the base of the opening and running all the way up, drawing the sticky fluid that signaled arousal with it. Arriving at the clitoris, Rarity took a moment to circle the tiny, hard nub before making direct contact. She flattened her tongue out, widening and softening it at the same time, and dragged it over the enflamed nerves, causing Trixie to shudder and shift her weight down towards the muzzle pleasing her. Rarity moved her mouth over the clit, pulling it into a kiss with slightly more force than she had used previously, and garnering the desired effect.

Rarity could feel the juices starting to flow freely from Trixie’s pussy, dropping her hooves a little lower to kneed her lover’s ass. She pushed her tongue forward, pressing it into the tunnel of Trixie’s sex. The cunt pulled at her tongue as she slid it in and out, fucking the unicorn with her mouth. Taking care to not overwork any one moment or action, Rarity alternated between driving her tongue into Trixie’s pussy and pulling it out to lick on and around her throbbing clit.

Trixie felt her marehood pulsing from the attention it was receiving, sparks of pleasure shooting through her entire body as Rarity worked her own special magic on the unicorn. She could feel the other mare’s tongue speed up, flicking across her clit with decisive action, causing it to grow and swell with each swipe. Hooves moved down between her legs, coming up to rest on either side of her pussy and spread it wide open, giving Rarity the opportunity to finish her off.

Taking that opening, Rarity thrust her tongue deep inside Trixie’s cunt, pressing down until her muzzle was wedged between the already spread lips. Bobbing her head up and down, she began to tongue-fuck the mare in earnest, driving her face against the flesh with each advance. When Rarity brought one hoof up to begin rubbing her clit, Trixie knew that it was all but over.

Rarity felt the pussy clamping down on her tongue, but that only redoubled her efforts. She was rewarded with a loud moan, an arched body, and the release of cum from Trixie’s cunt. It didn’t stop her though, as she continued to drive in and out, slapping her face directly into the marehood, while her right hoof did it’s best to stay on the clit of the bucking unicorn. 

Eventually she slowed down as Trixie relaxed back onto the bed. She pulled herself away from the still glistening sex, her face covered in mare cum. Moving up, she came to rest face-to-face with the other unicorn, still basking in post orgasm glow.

Rarity leaned forward, bringing her forehead towards the other unicorn, and let her own horn drag across Trixie’s. The two protruding appendages rubbed against each other, the spirals creating a texture that massaged the other horn in a provocative manner. As Rarity pulled back, a spark of magic arced between the horns.

“Oooh...” Rarity exclaimed in surprise.

“My, my,” Trixie said seductively. “You are a bad little pony, aren’t you? All worked up. Perhaps Trixie should do something about that.”

“Yes, Trixie. Please, Trixie,” Rarity murmured submissively.

“Like you even have a choice.” Trixie raised herself up, looking down into the other unicorn’s blue eyes. 

Her hooves trailed down Rarity’s body as Trixie took in the situation, deciding what to do next. She felt the unicorn shudder beneath her as she traced the contours of her body, never actually going near her most sensitive area. A smile grew as Trixie formulated a plan. She levitated a length of silken rope over to the bed and began to bind the white unicorn’s hooves.

“Are you hoping to cum anytime soon?” Trixie asked.

“I...I was hoping to, yes,” Rarity answered.

“And you were thinking that I would be responsible for that?”

“Well, yes. I was hoping that you would--”

“No,” Trixie interrupted. “No, I don’t think I want to do that. Especially not after you mocked Trixie only a few minutes ago. That was not something deserving a reward.”

“I’m so sorry, Trixie. It was just...I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Oh, Trixie knows. That’s why I’m going to give you a chance to prove yourself. I want you to cum for me.” She was just finishing tying the beautiful pony to the bed as she spoke.

“I want to. Very much so, actually,” Rarity answered breathlessly. “But, tied up this way, I’m afraid that I will need Trixie’s help.”

“No.” 

Rarity lay there, her mouth open in shock, trying to form words, with only moans of disbelief and desperation coming out.

“No, I won’t stimulate your body. I won’t touch you,” Trixie explained. “And you can’t do it yourself, obviously. So, I want you to cum only from what I’m going to say to you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Trixie.”

“And you remember your safeword?”

“Yes, Trixie.” Rarity’s voice was becoming more ethereal.

“Good. Now, I want you to close your eyes. I want you to imagine everything that Trixie is about to describe.” She complied instantly, shutting her eyes gently. “Remember that young mare at the restaurant last night? The one sitting at the table two down from ours?” Rarity nodded. “I saw her looking at you, and it wasn’t a look of jealousy. It was lust, pure and simple. She wanted you.”

Rarity moaned.

“How does it feel to know that everypony who sees you wants you? That they have at least a passing sexual thought? You can’t help it, I know, but I want to know that you understand it. That when colts and mares look at you they become aroused. The mares have it easy, actually. When they get aroused it’s much easier to hide, but a colt? That stands out. Still, I’m sure the mare at that table would have had a hard time explaining the stain that she left on the chair.”

Rarity shifted on the bed, writhing.

“In fact, I would love her to be here right now, explaining it to both of us. I wonder if she would even bother trying to hide her lust? If she could even do it with you tied up like this? Trixie can almost smell her desire. She couldn’t even speak, staring down at you like this. She would simply stare.”

Shifting her body, Trixie moved closer to the tied mare, allowing her to speak in more hushed tones into Rarity’s ear. 

“I wouldn’t even want her to hide it, actually. I would want to use it. I would want her to use you. Trixie would make her obedient. Make her do what I told her to do. Make her a good little pony. And then I would instruct her on the best way to pleasure you.

“First, I would make her stroke your coat and mane. Trixie knows how much you like your mane and having it played with, so that seems like a pleasant place to start. Of course, with how immaculately kept you are, she wouldn’t be able to help herself and would bring her nose right down into your mane, breathing in the perfumes that you apply daily. They would drive her onward, her mouth and tongue caressing you, and I would tell her to take her time working her way down your body. Teasing every erogenous zone--and I know all of yours--as she goes.

“Finally, she would be there. Facing your most glorious of sexual intimacies. You would feel her hot breath as she waited there, her muzzle posed over your marehood, hoping that I would give her permission to finally lower herself down and taste you.”

Rarity’s breathing was become more short and rapid.

“And I am not a cruel mare. I would only make her wait until the look of begging grew in her eyes to the point of tears actually falling. And of course, you would be waiting that whole time. Able to look down and see her as she licked her lips, hungry for your flesh, but not able to force her down upon you. Not able to draw her tongue down to your sex.

“But Trixie could do that--and Trixie would. With one word I finally let her move, her mouth and tongue falling down and surrounding your dripping cunt. Her tongue exploring every crevice and fold, working its way up to your hard little clit. And that one touch makes you want to explode, but she doesn’t stop with one touch. She keeps moving, drinking you in like a thirsty mare out of the desert. Her tongue washes over your sensitive button, making you want to scream, but you have no breath. A silent picture of a mare in sexual bliss fills the moment.”

Her breath was panting, her eyes fluttering spasmodically.

“Oh, but she doesn’t stop there, either. I instruct her to bring her hooves up into play, and while she has her tongue working so masterfully on your clit, she carefully slides one hoof to your opening, and starts to push it in. You are so slick with your own juices that there is virtually no resistance. You feel it penetrate you while the tongue pulls on your clit. Your cunt is full, as full as it’s ever been, with this mare who hasn’t even told us her name, as she begins to work the tip of her hoof in and out of your pussy, fucking you. And she won’t stop until you’ve drenched her muzzle and coat with your cum.”

Rarity lay there straining against her bonds. Her body was twisting as she sought some sort of physical release.

“Oh, and there is one other thing, Rarity dear. When Trixie told you that she had no intention of touching you--she lied.”

Trixie’s hoof instantly found the wetness between Rarity’s legs, and stroked it once. Rarity let out a cry of pleasure as her lover then moved that hoof to concentrate on her throbbing clit, rubbing in small circles on and around the area to stimulate every nerve ending her body seemed to possess. 

She screamed, her body completely tensing and pushing the limits of her bindings as Rarity came. Her juices flooded out, covering Trixie’s hoof with their sticky fluid. For her part, Trixie was unrelenting, continuing to rub the unicorn’s pussy with fervor, driving her lover further over the edge. The cries of pleasure eventually subsided as Rarity’s body could no longer find the energy to continue. 

Moving her hoof up along the unicorn’s body, Trixie placed it directly in front of Rarity’s muzzle. “Clean this. Lick it off my hoof.” Without question or hesitation, Rarity did just that, her tongue grooming the damp limb flawless.

After she was done, Trixie pulled back her hoof and moved her face to replace it. She looked down into those blue eyes once more, and then brought her lips down gently to meet up with the other pair beneath her. Their kiss lingered, tongues playing with each other in an erotic ballet.

“Trixie loves to taste your juices on your lips,” she said, pulling back from the kiss. “Are you okay?”

“Okay?” Rarity replied, her eyes slightly glazed over. “Darling, I’m simply wonderful! That was amazing.”

Trixie smiled, her horn coming to life once again as the ropes holding down Rarity were lifted from her body. Instantly, Rarity moved over to embrace the other unicorn, cuddling her head into the soft coat at the base of Trixie’s neck.

“I love you,” Rarity said tenderly.

Trixie stroked the mare’s mane. “That makes me very happy,” she answered.

Rarity lay there, feeling the fragile motion along her mane. And sensing the fragile air of the moment. It took her a few moments to work up the courage to speak again.

“Trixie?”

“Yes?”

“Do...do you love me?” Rarity asked.

“What?” Trixie’s body stiffened. 

“You never say it. I first said I loved you weeks ago, but you’ve never said it back to me. Do you love me?” Rarity could hear the heartbeat in the chest beneath her quicken.

“I....” Trixie hesitated. “Is that something I have to say? Right now?”

“Of course not,” Rarity answered, raising up to look down at Trixie. “But...it would be lovely to hear.”

“Is it enough that I don’t want you to go back to Ponyville tomorrow?” She asked.

“And I don’t want to go, darling, but you know that I must.”

“You could move here. Set up a shop in town. You love Canterlot, far more than Trixie does, in fact.”

“Oh yes, that is true. I do so adore this place. It is the very pinnacle of high culture, in fact. But...” she smiled. “But I have a home and responsibilities back in Ponyville. I cannot abandon those any more than I could ask you to give up your studies under the princess.”

“So, we are forever to be apart? Only able to share small visits together?” Trixie asked.

“Well, forever is a long time, darling. I try not to plan that far ahead, it only leads to dramatic disappointments. But I also truly believe that there are good things destined for the two of us,” she smiled.

“It’s already been a good time together.” Trixie brought her hoof up to Rarity’s face, touching it lightly. “I just don’t want it to end.”

Rarity pressed her face into the hoof. “It won’t end, darling. Just think of it as time apart to build up the passion again. And besides, we have the rest of tonight.”

“Yes,” Trixie smiled. “Yes, we do.”

She moved her hoof around to the back of Rarity’s head, slowly pulling the mare down to her lips. The kiss reignited the flames that hadn’t truly faded, and the two lovers melted into each other, sharing every remaining moment they had together for the rest of the night.

* * * * *

Walking along the street there was an odd bumping sensation striking Twilight Sparkle’s back. She had grown accustomed to it years ago when the baby dragon had first started riding there when she went out. She was even fairly used to the whining.

“Twilight, I don’t understand why we have to go out to the bookstore again,” Spike all but cried.

“I told you, Spike, I need new books. I’ve read everything in the library.”

“But that’s impossible!” he replied. “You just got in another fifty books from Princess Celestia two days ago.”

“Yep! And I’m done with them already. I want something new to read.”

“You know, you might be reading a little too much lately, Twilight.”

“What?” Her head recoiled in shock. “How is that possible?”

The dragon never got his chance to answer, as the two were suddenly bowled over by an onrushing pony rounding the corner. More surprising than the impact was the identity of the mare.

“Oh, I am so sorry, Twilight. I didn’t mean to do that. I feel absolutely horrible about that. Can I help you up? Oh, I’m so clumsy!” Fluttershy fell over herself verbally.

“Don’t worry about it, Fluttershy,” Twilight laughed as she stood up. “But what’s got you in such a hurry?”

“Oh, it’s a horrible thing. I made a terrible mistake with poor little Angel’s lunch and he ran off in such a foul mood. I’ve been chasing after him trying to apologize, but he keeps running off.”

“What did you do?” Twilight asked.

“I was horribly neglectful. He clearly asked for no carrots in his lunch today, but I put a few shavings off to the side, just in case he changed his mind. It made him so angry that he stormed out of the house. He was so angry I thought he might be rushing out to do something rash or...or worse!”

“Sheesh!” Spike put his head in his hands, shaking it back and forth.

“I don’t think that it’s as bad as all that, Fluttershy.” Twilight’s kept her voice rich and soft. “Angel can be a bit temperamental after all. 

“Oh, but this is completely my fault! And I just know that he’s run off so far away that I will never be able to find him!”

Taking a deep breath, Twilight couldn’t fight off a fallen expression. “Okay, well, how about Spike and I help you find him?”

“Would you? That would be so kind. If you don’t mind, that is. I’m sure you have plenty of other things that you could be doing instead.”

“Well,” Twilight’s horn shimmered for a brief second, “not really. And besides,” she looked towards the horizon, where a small magenta sphere appeared, flying effortlessly through the air, “here he is now.”

Three beings were in shock. None of them was a purple unicorn. Inside the sphere was a very surprised looking bunny. It came to rest, dissolved, and Angel immediately ran behind his pegasus protector, hiding from Twilight.

“How did you do that?” Fluttershy asked, amazed.

“Do what?” Twilight asked.

“You found Angel and brought him here like that. I’ve never seen you do anything like that before. I’ve never seen anypony do anything like that.”

“Yeah, well, you should have been hanging around the past few months,” Spike commented.

“Spike, don’t exaggerate. I just cast a simple spell and summoned Angel here, that’s all.”

“I didn’t know that you could do anything like that,” Fluttershy commented.

“Well, I’ve been getting a bit better at magic lately,” Twilight admitted softly. “It just seemed to make sense, so I did it.”

“Wait a second, you just came up with that spell?” Fluttershy asked. 

“You should see her at home! All she does is sit up at night and read. She’s always trying out new magic stuff. I mean, way more than she did before. And I don’t think she’s slept in about two weeks.”

“Two weeks?!” Fluttershy almost raised her voice. “Twilight, are you okay? Have you seen anyone about this sleeping problem?”

“It’s not a problem,” she answered. “I just...don’t feel tired. I haven’t really felt like I needed to sleep lately.”

“When was the last time you slept? Has it really been two weeks?” Fluttershy asked.

“Um...maybe more like about two months,” she smiled, trying to deflect what was coming.

“Oh my!” Fluttershy’s pupils shrank to dots. “We need to get you to a doctor, right away!”

“But I feel fine!” Twilight protested.

“You obviously aren’t fine. It’s not healthy to go so long without sleep. I’m taking you to the hospital this instant!” Fluttershy moved behind her friend and began to push Twilight along, nudging towards the hospital.

“But Fluttershy, I have things to do. And you are overreacting. And trust me, if there is anypony who knows about overreacting, it’s me. I’ve read up on sleeping, and as long as I relax, I’m fine. And I read to relax, so I’m always relaxed. It makes perfect sense.”

“To you maybe....” Spike mumbled.

“I don’t care. And you already told me that you didn’t have anything important to do,” the pegasus answered still pushing her friend along. “We are going to the doctor this very minute.” 

“I don’t--” Twilight began before Fluttershy cut her off.

“Shush! You don’t get to argue about this. You could be very sick. We’re going to take care of this.”

Twilight surrendered and began to walk towards the hospital. “You know, for somepony as quiet as you are, you sure can be bossy,” she joked.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Fluttershy answered. “I don’t mean to be.”

* * * * *

Late afternoon found Luna walking the halls of Canterlot Castle as normal, working her way towards the evening meal she shared with her sister. The part that still seemed new to her was that, from the moment she left her chambers, several aides and advisors were berating her with requests and information. Some wanted her to attend their meetings, while others wanted to come to meet with her. An ambassador from some region wanted to personally introduce himself, and a prince from another distant land wanted her to visit and introduce herself. She had asked for more responsibility and duty from her sister and had received it full-fold. 

She had no idea how Celestia dealt with it.

Since her self-created transformation into a full-grown alicorn, Luna’s image had slowly changed. At first there was fear. The image of Nightmare Moon still hung over her head, and though her coat remained midnight blue and her eyes those of a normal pony, all anyone could see was that frightful incarnation. With time opinion changed. What was first fear became fascination. And that fascination became curiosity. Now, instead of trying to find things to do to fill her nights, she had to find time to do the things that she wanted. And right now, she wanted to be left alone.

“Enough!” Her voice was perhaps a bit too loud. “Leave us. We will meet with our sister at this time. You can find us in our royal chambers later this evening.”

Without a single argument, all of them bowed and quickly departed the hallway, leaving the princess alone. Or at least, apparently alone.

“Good afternoon, Princess.” Luna turned to see her protege bowing in a nearby alcove.

“Good afternoon, Trixie. It’s good to see you,” she smiled. “I take it Rarity has left for Ponyville? Did you enjoy your time with her?”

“I did, Mistress,” Trixie answered, rising from the bow. “Thank you for allowing it. Rarity returned home this morning.”

“Excellent. And are you ready to return to your studies?” Luna asked.

“Oh, Trixie is ready for anything that Mistress wishes.” She stepped closer to the larger mare. “Anything.”

“Trixie, we have been over this already. I am your princess and your teacher, not your mistress.”

“But that night we spent together spoke otherwise. You made it clear that you were Trixie’s Mistress, and I will never forget that.”

“Yes, well, that was a special occasion, and not something that is to be repeated.”

“Please Mistress, do not force me to beg. I will, but I ask that you grace me with your pleasures. I did not get to experience you first-hoof that night. I pleasured Twilight Sparkle at your insistence, but was only able to see and hear you. You are the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria, and to be so close and not actually touch you is torture.”

Luna took a deep breath. A smile grew on her face, whether from flattery or patience wasn’t perfectly clear.

“Trixie, I understand what you are saying. But you must understand that there are physical reasons why this could never come to pass. It is too physically dangerous for me to be with you.”

“Is that why you only love your sister?” Trixie asked.

Luna paused.

“I would remind you that my relationship with my sister is a private matter,” she stated.

“Oh, Trixie understands that, Mistress. I am so sorry. I just thought that being alone it was permissible to speak of it.”

“You are aware of it, I know, but again, please do not speak of it.”

“Are you embarrassed by it, Mistress?”

“No!” Luna cut back, instantly. “Of course not. I love my sister.”

“Trixie knows. I have seen it.”

“You know what I mean, Trixie.”

The eyes on the unicorn softened as Trixie spoke again. “I do, Mistress. I apologize. I find myself jealous of your time with her. I know it’s not proper--my jealousy, I mean--but I cannot help myself.”

Luna smiled. “And tell me, Trixie, what about Rarity? Do you speak to her about this jealousy? About your intentions towards me?”

Trixie blinked repeatedly. “Is Mistress actually comparing herself to a common unicorn? Yes, Rarity is the most lovely unicorn that I have ever known. She is amazing on all levels, but...to compare her to a goddess? That seems unfair. And I would never do that to her.”

“But how would she feel about your actions? About how you act towards me?”

“If Rarity had spent the same time and moments with you that I have, she would feel the same as Trixie. If she had experienced what Trixie has, then she, too, would think exactly the same way that I do.”

“You flatter me,” Luna said.

“No, Mistress, I do not. I only speak the truth,” Trixie said. “I would give anything for a single night with you the way I imagine it.”

Luna sighed. “That cannot happen. I have told you that many times. And please, stop calling me mistress. Call me princess if you must, but only one mare may address me as mistress.”

“Oh. Trixie understands, Princess. I haven’t earned that privilege yet. I will work to please you.”

“Reverence is one thing, Trixie, and it is good that you have it, but it cannot overrule your role here. I brought you here to be my student, and that is all. What happened that one night cannot change things. Do you understand?”

“I will try, Princess. I will try.”

“And at the very least,” Luna smiled down at her student, “you will always have the memory of that night. Now excuse me, I need to go meet with my sister for dinner. I will see you later this evening.”

“Yes, Princess. Enjoy your meal. And I will keep my memory of that night.” Trixie bowed.

Luna nodded a small bow in return and walked down the hallway towards her meeting with Celestia. Trixie stood there for a moment watching her walk away, any trace of a smile on her face fading away.

“Do not worry, princess, I remember what happened that night. Trixie remembers it very, very clearly.”

* * * * *


“Well, Doctor Stable, what do you think? Is Twilight okay?” Fluttershy asked.

“That depends on how you look at things, young lady,” he answered, and then turned towards the unicorn in question. “You appear to be in perfect health, Twilight. The best health I’ve ever seen you in, actually.”

“That’s good news, right doc?” she replied.

“It would be if it wasn’t for these other things that you’ve been telling me. You say you haven’t slept at all for approximately two months?”

“Um...yeah. Something like that, anyway.”

“And there are no issues that have come from this?”

“No. None at all.”

“Except all that reading,” Spike added.

“What reading?” the doctor asked.

“Well, I’ve been putting my time to good use and reading all night. I do live in the library, you know.”

“Well sure,” Spike continued, “but she’s been reading way more than she ever has before.”

“How much more?” the doctor asked Twilight.

“She read over a hundred books just this week!” Spike answered for her.

“Spike tends to exaggerate a bit,” Twilight cut back in.

“Well then, how many do you say you’ve read?” he asked again.

“Um...only ninety-six.”

“In five days?” Fluttershy went wide-eyed.

“Actually it was just...three,” Twilight smiled in faux reassurance.

“Well, while that is impressive, it probably doesn’t have any medical explanation. I would like to keep you here and run a few tests, though,” the doctor stated.

“How long will that take?” Twilight asked.

“It shouldn’t take too long,” he gave a generic answer.

A heavy sigh was immediately followed with a reply. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

“Somepony will be in soon,” the doctor said as he left the room.

“Are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything?” Fluttershy asked.

“Other than a speedy way to finish this testing, no. Thanks anyway,” she answered.

“You know this is a good idea, right, Twilight? I mean, the doctor seemed very sure that this won’t take too long, and it’s always best to know,” she reassured her friend.

“I just don’t know what he’s going to tell me. I mean, I feel fine. Actually, I feel better than I’ve ever felt in my life. He even said the same thing. I’m healthier than ever. I just haven’t been tired,” Twilight explained.

“Well, you gotta admit that you’ve been acting kinda odd, Twilight,” Spike added. “All kinds of little things.”

“But nothing bad. If it was bad I would have noticed. I take special care to write down all of my actions for every single day. That way I can review them later to make sure that I maximized my time to the best of my potential. And I review them regularly, so I know that I haven’t been doing anything destructive or counter-productive since this sleep issue started.”

“Um...okay,” Fluttershy said. “You can always just...relax, too. You know, just rest and enjoy the day.”

“Oh, I schedule in time for relaxation on every third day. I allow myself a full hour to do whatever I want.”

“Which is usually read another book,” Spike countered.

“Well, that’s what I enjoy doing,” she defended.

“I hope that the doctors are able to find out what is happening to you.” Fluttershy returned to the concern at hoof.

“I just hope they get in here soon. My schedule is already way off today.” Twilight lay back and waited.

“Yeah, it’s just your schedule that’s way off,” Spike commented snidely.

* * * * *

“Good afternoon, Tia,” Luna smiled as she walked to the dinner table.

A setting of food was already in place for her, with a variety of extra choices on plates nearby if she decided that she wanted a little more variety. It was a lush setting of food, filled with some of the chef’s most delightful offerings. Wheat an corn crowned pastry with carrot jam surrounded by a selection of wild greens was the highlight, resting in front of Luna and Celestia as their main offering.

“And good morning to you, Luna,” Celestia spoke with the even and friendly tone that was her trademark.

“It is hardly morning, sister. The sun will set soon and the moon rise to take her place.”

“True, but it just seems more polite to say good morning to somepony who just woke up. And you’ve missed an exciting day.” 

“Have I? What has happened on this day?” Luna asked.

“You have another proposal.” Celestia was visibly repressing a laugh.

“Goddess, no.” The younger sister’s body slouched under the weight of the statement. “Tell me this one is at least a pony.”

“Oh, it is. And a rather famous one, at that. A Mr. Pony Depp.”

Luna blinked slowly. “The actor?”

“The very same.”

“And he wants to marry me?”

“Oh no. He suggested that the two of you go away to his private estate abroad so that you could get to know each other better. And then marry him.”

“You’re kidding me. You’re kidding me, right?”

“Not at all.”

“I do hope that you told him no.”

Celestia reared back in mock surprise. “Me? How could I? This was a request for your affections, dear sister. I would never be the one to speak for you.”

Luna smiled and took a bite of her dinner. “Well, I do believe that the matter of my affections is the one area where you actually can speak for me.”

The cheeks on the white alicorn turned a decidedly pink tone as she lowered her eyes slightly.

“Do you get these offers, Tia? I seem to be bombarded with them in the past weeks.”

“Once upon a time. But I suppose most got used to me saying no, so I don’t get anywhere near the number that I used to. Besides, I’m not the popular young alicorn right now.”

“Preposterous!” Luna exclaimed. “You are the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria. You are the radiant goddess of the sun! Every pony in the land idolizes you! Every mare wants to be you and every colt wants to be with you.”

“Do you think so?” Celestia cocked her head slightly to one side as she looked across the table.

“I know it to be true!”

“You know only what you imagine to be true, then. I have been usurped in my role. Overthrown by none other than my own sister!”

“Do not mock me, Tia. I do have my own path for revenge, remember,” Luna smiled, thinking of her sister’s ripe flank.

“Actually, I’m not mocking you. You really have become the image of beauty in Equestria. You have well passed me by. I’m very proud of you.”

“I don’t believe that.” Luna munched away on the pastry, enjoying it tremendously. “I may have some fans, but you are the acknowledged ruler of Equestria. Our subjects revere you, Tia.”

“But they want to be you,” she countered. “You are the young princess who has caught the paparazzi’s eye. I’m just some old mare who everyone has gotten used to seeing on the throne.”

Luna started to speak, but Celestia waved a hoof to silence her.

“I’m not saying that they don’t love and respect me. I would be crushed if that was true. It’s just that they have somepony new to idolize. A new--and very, very beautiful--face that has caught their eye.”

“It only matters to me if I still have your eye,” Luna said softly.

“You know that you do,” Celestia answered.

Luna took another bite of food and her eyes fell on the plate resting in front of her sister. Celestia was pushing the greens around the plate slowly, circling the unbroken souffle, but it appeared as though none of it had been eaten.

“Sister, are you not hungry? You don’t appear to have eaten a single bite.” She asked.

“Hmmm? Oh, I’m just...” Celestia seemed to search for the right words.

“What is it? Is something wrong?” Luna asked.

“It’s just... Well, I would never say anything to the chef about the food. He and his staff prepare the most delightful items, as you well know. But recently I’ve found that I just don’t have the taste for it that I once did.”

Luna looked at her mostly empty plate. The food was simply amazing, the wheat and corn were dense and filling while the carrot jam was crisp and refreshing. The chef was always exploring and creating new and innovate dishes. 

“How so?” she asked. “What about the food isn’t appealing to you?”

“Perhaps I am being a bit foalish. It is nothing.”

“No. Tell me. I want to know. It is important that we share everything.”

“Well...” The white alicorn looked around to make sure no pony was close enough to overhear, and then leaned in closer to her sister. “Tell me, have you ever been curious about the taste of meat?”

The color in the face of the night goddess drained away.

“I find myself very curious about it recently,” Celestia continued. “It’s something that I have never done in all my hundreds of years. Do you ever find yourself thinking about eating it?”

Luna’s voice was soft and weak as she answered. “Not for a while now, no.”

Celestia pulled back, smiling. “I told you it was silly. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

Luna raised herself up and, taking a deep breath, spoke calmly and clearly across the table. “Tia, what have you been doing? Have you been visiting the diamond chamber?”

“Wh-what? No. No, of course not,” she stammered. 

“Do NOT lie to me. You have, haven’t you? You’ve been down to the chamber and looked at the dark volumes.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I--”

“DO NOT LIE!!” Luna stamped her hoof on the table, causing the plates to shake and several items to fall over. “I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. Moreso than any pony in all of Equestria I know what you are talking about! I’ve been there, remember?”

Celestia lowered her head in silence. Luna stood and walked around to the other side of the table to stand next to her.

“What is it, Tia? You know what that did to me. What that turned me into. It does nothing good. I know this. Why? Why did you go? What have you done?”

There was a pause before any more words were spoken.

“I...I felt weak,” Celestia answered. “I have only scanned a few of the scrolls. I didn’t touch anything else, I swear. I was hoping to find something that would help me to protect Equestria. I have to be able to protect my subjects from anything.”

“Protect your subjects?” Luna spoke delicately. “Celestia, you are the most powerful creature in the world. Is this about that ordeal with Queen Chrysalis? She was being fed by pure love. You know that. She doesn’t posses the power that you do. Everypony knows that. SHE knows that.”

Celestia seemed unmoved.

“Besides, that was months ago, well before my transformation. And even then, if I had been there, I would have--”

Luna stopped herself. Celestia’s head dropped down even further.

“This...this isn’t about Chrysalis, is it? This is about me.” Luna took a step back. “You are afraid that I will become dark again.”

“She beat me. It doesn’t matter how or why, it just matters that she did. If she could do it, then others might be able to as well. I have to be able to protect the ponies of Equestria from all threats. And lately, I’ve felt...weak...next to you.” Celestia raised her head enough to look her sister in the eye.

“Weak?” Luna shook her head. “Does this have anything to do with...us? With the nature of our relationship?”

“No!” Celestia raised her head completely. “No. I swear on my own oath, it does not. I love you, Luna. Truly and deeply.”

Luna nodded. “Just not enough to trust that I won’t try to truly usurp your throne. That I haven’t taken a step back into the nightmare.”

“I cannot be weak, Luna! There are ponies depending on me.”

“Of course there are.” She slowly began to walk away. “And you aren’t weak. I just thought you were much stronger than this.” She turned to look over her shoulder. “I have duties to perform. You will excuse me, Celestia.”

“Luna!” she cried after her sister, but the night goddess faded into the growing shadows of the afternoon.

Away from prying eyes, in the hidden eaves of a balcony overhead, Trixie watched and listened.

* * * * *

“I am so glad that is finally over!” Twilight Sparkle said as she stepped inside the walls of her library home. “All those test are exhausting.”	

“So, are you tired? Ready to sleep?” Spike asked.

The two of them returned alone. Fluttershy went home to care for her animals, but vowed that she would return in the morning to check up on her friend. The argument was very one sided, with Twilight never standing a chance.

“Actually...no,” she answered. “I’m ready to take a break and relax, but I don’t feel sleepy-tired. Maybe there is something wrong with me.”

“Something wrong there is indeed!” A voice spoke from the darkness. 
“And I have come to give you heed!”

“Zecora?” Twilight lit a candle with her magic, breaking the darkness of the room and revealing the zebra.

“Pardon me for waiting inside your room,
But I have come with a message of doom.
The world around is in danger most dire,
And I must try to extinguish this fire. 
I have looked many times to see what to do,
And every message leads me directly to you.
So Twilight Sparkle, danger lies ahead for all,
And it is by your hoof that these ponies rise or fall.”

Twilight stood there taking in everything that Zecora just said, processing it a hundred times before she even had time to take a breath, and the same message kept coming out of it. Twilight spoke softly, as much to herself as anypony else.

“I’m going to destroy the world?”




...to be continued.
> Chapter Two
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Who Rules?: The Ascended
by Nom deCheval


Chapter Two


Despite the candles, the room seemed somehow dark to Celestia. She sat at the window, staring out into the open night sky. Luna had not shown up for their nightly ritual, choosing instead to let her sister handle the task for this night. As she stared up, Celestia could see all the mistakes that she made. Every time she raised the moon and stars for the thousand years that her sister was banished all she could see were the mistakes that she made. She wanted to create the perfect night sky, the sky that Luna seemed able to craft with such ease, but all she could muster was a flawed imitation.

No one else seemed to notice. Nor should they. To anypony looking up, the stars were in the right place and the moon shone down with nightly regularity, but every time Celestia looked up the night looked wrong. The twinkle of the stars was too dim. The ring around the moon was too blatant. And tonight was the worst of all. Tonight the sky was cold.

She turned and looked around her bedchamber. Celestia had long ago gotten past the idea of opulence to show her station, but there was an air that had to be presented. So every corner of her own personal room was rich with indulgence. Fine silks and gold seemed to lie everywhere, and nowhere more than her grand bed. Large enough to hold her four times over, four posts of gold towered up while linens of exquisite finery covered the deep mattress. Her covers had been turned down by her chambermaids with the same care and precision as every night, but there was no draw to it. No desire to climb into its luxury. 

It was not every night that Celestia welcomed her sister to her bed. They had a country to rule after all, and the affairs of state always had to take precedence above the affairs of two sisters. There were fewer nights that they were alone than when they were together, however, and they always knew when those nights were coming. This was not such a night, and she desperately missed her sister.

Luna was angry. And more than that, she was hurt. She hadn’t spoken to her since dinner and it was driving her mad. She wanted to explain. To make it perfectly clear to her sister why she had pursued the course that had the night goddess so upset. But that was exactly what she couldn’t do. She had to let Luna come to her when she was ready to listen. Centuries of ruling taught the value of patience all too well.

“Celestia, you are a foalish old mare,” she said to herself softly, “and you need to get some sleep.”

Turning to look out the window once more, she looked up in the sky and thought about all of her mistakes.

* * * * *

Trixie walked into the throne room of Canterlot Castle knowing that she would find Luna there, but was expecting to find at least a handful--if not far more--of the royal court present as well. It was a regular occurrence for the princess to be swamped with responsibilities at the beginning of each night, even when she was supposed to be directly tutoring her student, such as tonight.

Which is why Trixie was surprised to see the princess sitting on the throne completely alone. The lighting in the room was dim, much more so than normal for this time of night. Only a few torches and braziers burned, creating a flickering glow that became lost in Luna’s dark coat. There weren’t even any guards inside the room. Just the lone goddess, lost in thought.

“Good evening, my Princess,” Trixie said slowly. “Is everything all right?”

Luna sat, not turning her head or eyes, staring straight ahead and into a distance only she could see. “We are glad that thou art here, Trixie. We have something very important for the two of us to do tonight.”

“You do?” Trixie’s voice sounded enthusiastic. “Can Trixie hope that it involves the two of us in a much more intimate setting? If that is my Princess’ wish, that is.”

“It has been a...we choose to call this a difficult night.” Trixie noticed the princess had slipped into her royal speech pattern, but there was no change to Luna’s expression, remaining distant and lost. “And we need thee to assist us with something that we thought we would never have to do.”

“I am your humble servant, Mist--my Princess. I will do anything that I can to please you in any and every way,” Trixie stated with a short bow. “And you have seen that Trixie is quite capable of pleasing a mare.”  With her head lowered, the response was even more shocking.

“ENOUGH!!” Luna’s voice reached Canterlot levels. “Most nights we are flattered by your fawning platitudes, but tonight is a serious matter!” Trixie jumped back, looking up at Luna, who stared back down at her. “We are the Goddess of the Night, Trixie. Doest thou not think us wise enough to know when somepony is being flattering? Secrets and obfuscation fall into our realm, little unicorn, and we fully understand thine actions are meant to gain favor. Tonight we do not wish to hear them, doest thou understand?”

Small trails of midnight colored energy leaked out of Luna’s eyes, falling up into the air of the chamber and dissipating into the obscured light of the room. And though she was startled, Trixie was not put off her path, stepping towards the goddess with a more serious expression twisted onto her face.

“Very well, Trixie will be more direct with you,” she said as she walked. “But you must be more direct with me.”

“Agreed,” Luna nodded. “Hast thou heard of the diamond chamber, Trixie?”

“No, should I?” It was a half-truth. She had heard Luna reference it when talking to Celestia earlier, but had no idea what it was.

“It is a most secret place--perhaps the single most secret place in all of Canterlot. And it houses things not meant for the eyes of mortal ponies.”

Trixie’s ears twisted forward. “You have my attention.”

“What we are going to tell thee--”

“Princess, please stop talking that way. Trixie finds it annoying.”

“What?” Luna pulled her head back, anger flashing on her face. It faded as she considered Trixie’s words. “My apologies. Old habit. To continue, what I am going to tell you is something that cannot be known by anypony else, is that clear?”

“It is. And I swear it,” she answered sincerely.

“Good. You have heard of the crystal caves that lie beneath the castle, correct? They house a vast variety of gems and stones that magical beings such as ourselves find very useful.”

“Yes, yes. Go on.” Trixie waved her hoof to get past the common knowledge.

Luna’s eyes pierced the space between them. “I would remind you, Trixie, that you are still my student, and I do not possess the near limitless patience my sister is so famous for having.”

“You asked me to be more direct.”

“But still respectful, little pony,” Luna explained. She took a deep breath and continued. “To be direct then, there is a room that has been carved from a single massive diamond that caps off the caves. It took a huge effort from Celestia herself to carve a doorway and a space inside. Now, it serves as the repository of things that we do not want seen by anypony else.”

Trixie’s eyes were sparkling. “And you are going to take me there?”

Luna paused, considering her words very carefully before she spoke. “I don’t believe I have much of a choice.”

* * * * *

“So, wait, you’re saying that I DON’T destroy the world, then?” Twilight kicked her head to the side, trying to make sense of the zebra’s words. Since her declaration, Zecora had been trying to explain the reality of the situation to the unicorn with mixed success.

“What I am saying is that fate points to you.
Your exact role is not clear as to what you do.”

Zecora moved several boxes out of her satchel and started to arrange them on the floor. Spike had moved throughout the room, lighting the remaining candles to cast a healthy light. 

“The twist of fate is a root very dear,
but the vision it grants isn’t perfectly clear.
Time and again I watched the vision unfold
and each time I saw the world fall as I have told.
Sometimes in fire, sometimes in tears,
sometimes in shadow, and sometimes in fear.
But no matter the vision, one thing remained true,
and that one thing, my little pony, was only you.”

While her friend spoke, Twilight Sparkle kept herself busy, scanning her book shelves for a particular volume that she recalled reading a couple of weeks back. It only took her a minute to locate it.

“Let’s see....” She flipped the book open, scanning though at an amazing pace. “Ah! Here it is.”

“What are you reading in that book?
Is it something upon which I should look?”

“It’s called ‘Vivek’s Guide to the Ground.’ It’s about herbs and roots and their uses.” Twilight spoke distantly, caught up in her book. “It says here that twist of fate is a magical root that grows in the Everfree Forest. And that when mixed with other ingredients it can provide a skilled user with limited visions of the future.”

Zecora smiled softly. “It seems that you should listen more closely,
I just explained all of that, well, mostly.”

“No, no. What I’m reading here is that it is a limited view of the future. So what you saw might be only a glimpse. There is a chance that the world won’t be destroyed by any of those things you mentioned.” Twilight turned to look at the zebra, her face looking more relieved.

“A look at the future it is, limited or not,
so we must work to see what is wrought.”

“So, how do we do that?” Twilight asked.

Zecora readied herself once more, moving back to the containers that she brought with her, carefully inspecting the contents of each one. She spoke as she moved about.

“In good time, but first things first, my Ponyville host,
right now a bowl and brush is what we need most.”

“Easily done. Spike!” She turned towards her number one assistant.

“Yeah?” He rushed up to her side.

“Go to the basement and bring up the wooden bowl on the east wall, third shelf down. The middle sized one, not the big one.” She thought for a second. “Actually, go ahead and bring them both, since we don’t know how much of whatever it is that Zecora is going to make will be needed. Besides, it’s always good to have a backup. And then go to the south wall and open the top drawer and bring the set of brushes inside it. You got all that?”

“Got it!” Spike saluted his friend and then rushed into the basement on his quest.

“Okay, Zecora, the bowl and brush should be here in a jiffy. What after that?” Twilight asked.

“From there we must make our spirits come together
and determine which of these truths the future will weather.
For that to happen we must unite together our fate,
and the only way to do that well is for us to mate.”

Twilight stood there, her eyes growing larger. “Excuse me?” Zecora turned to look at the unicorn, her eyes completely serious.

“Sorry to be so blunt, but we are out of luck.
For the truth to be known, we two must fuck.”

Twilight took a step towards the doorway down to the basement, and then spoke sideways, loud enough to be heard down the stairs, keeping her gaze directly on Zecora. “Uh, Spike? There’s no rush. Take your time. Really.”

* * * * *

The beauty and refined nature of Canterlot Castle were long passed. From what was visible, there was only rough stone and barely carved out steps. To her left, Trixie saw nothing but darkness as the chamber fell away into a vast cavern, on her right was a wall of dark gray, highlighted by the occasionally glittering gem and jewel piercing through the surface. The only light provided was coming from her own horn, giving everything a blue tint, including the flank of the goddess walking in front of her.

“I don’t mean to complain, princess, but how much further is this? We’ve been walking for quite some time now.”

“My apologies, Trixie,” Luna replied calmly, “but we had no control over the location of this chamber. And its location is only known to my sister and myself--and now you, I suppose.”

“Yes, that reminds Trixie,” she kept her eyes down, fearful of whatever size drop awaited her off of this path, “why me? Why am I going to this super-secret chamber with you? I thought you kept all of the secrets and valuables locked up in Canterlot Tower.”

“Only those things that we feel safe letting others see lie in the tower. This is...something else.” Luna walked with confidence, her eyes able to see clearly in completely darkness. The light from Trixie’s horn made this chamber as bright as the noonday sun to her.

“Fine, but that doesn’t explain why I’m here,” Trixie said.

“You are here because I trust you,” Luna answered, her voice even in the dark light. “And I need somepony with me that I trust.”

“You--you trust Trixie?” Her voice waivered as she fell back a step, looking up from the stairs to the face of the alicorn who had turned to look back at her.

“You sound surprised. Is there a reason I shouldn’t trust you?” Luna asked.

“I... No. No, there isn’t,” she answered. “I’m just not used to it. I’ve always had trouble with people not trusting me.”

Luna turned back towards the stairs. “Perhaps that is because you have given others reasons to not trust you. I understand that problem. It has followed me all of my life.”

“You? But you are loved. Adored. I heard you talking about how there are ponies throwing themselves at you in desperate hope on a daily basis. You are a Princess of Equestria and the Goddess of the Night. You are beloved.”

A quick laugh snorted out of Luna. “Ah, if only it was like that. All of the things that you mention are new to me. New since I transformed myself into the mare that you see now. All of this adoration comes from physical desire, nothing more.”

“That’s ridiculous!” Trixie exclaimed, stepping up closer to the alicorn and speaking quickly. “You are far more than a beautiful mare. Your physical beauty is easily matched by the quality of your nature. Anypony that doesn’t see that is blind.”

Luna turned back once more, a smile on her face. “How kind of you to notice.”

Trixie was as much startled by her own words as she was Luna’s. She skittered back again, her hooves slipping on the cold stone, sending loose rock tumbling over the side. Reflexively, she pushed herself up against the solid wall, her heart racing as she waited for the sound of the rocks finally hitting the bottom of the fall. It took far too long for her comfort.

“Don’t be afraid, Trixie,” Luna reassured her. “I will not let any harm befall you. Besides, we’re here.”

Luna took another step forward, revealing a passage that opened into the wall of the cavern. Trixie stepped up to look down the tunnel just as the alicorn’s horn lit up, her magic igniting the braziers hanging on the walls of the passage. Less than ten feet beyond was a large door that seemed to be made from a single large piece of shining metal. Onto the surface of the door was etched the image of a sun-pony and moon-pony circling around a single globe, the symbol of the two sisters.

“Princess,” Trixie said softly, her voice uncertain, “I still don’t know why I’m here.”

She looked over at the goddess, who smiled back at her, the expression masking the mare’s true feelings. “You are here to stop me,” Luna said.

“What?” she asked, confused.

Luna’s horn came to life again, and a dark circle of metal floated over to Trixie. “Take this,” she instructed. “That is a special ring that I constructed myself. It is designed to take away my magical powers as long as it remains on my horn. If I even begin to falter, I need you to put that on me and stop me from....”

“From what?” Trixie asked, taking the ring from the air.

“From becoming what I once was.” Luna walked over to the door and lowered her  horn down until it touched the globe in the center of the symbol. With the sound of the earth opening, the metal door pulled away from the wall, swinging wide to reveal the interior beyond.

Light poured out of the room, temporarily blinding Trixie as she tried to peer inside at the contents. Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the new light, and she saw the interior of the diamond chamber.

The walls of the chamber seemed to glow with internal light, illuminating shelf after shelf of sparsely stored items. Books, scrolls, manuscripts and written material dominated the room. All of them kept apart from each other and standing alone. Despite the bright light coming from the walls, a dim shadow hung over each shelf, as though the light didn’t want to penetrate the area.

And in the center of the room was a table. At first glance it appeared ordinary. Crafted from wood, without any ornate design or stain, it was just a table. But what rested on it was far from ordinary. Four shoes, a breastplate and a helmet of gleaming metal lie in the center of the table. Even though she had never seen them personally, Trixie had heard the descriptions and read plenty of accounts to recognize them instantly. 

They belonged to Nightmare Moon.

“What....” Trixie couldn’t finish her thought. She had hoped to find some trace of the magic that created the legendary figure, but never thought to see something like this.

“I know,” Luna answered the unasked question. “And yes, this is the helmet and armor I wore as Nightmare Moon. When I was restored by the Elements of Harmony it shattered, and my sister and I gathered up the remaining pieces to lock them safely away immediately. It was shortly after that they began to reform. Only three months after we thought them destroyed they were whole again. Besides Celestia and myself, you are the first pony to know this.”

“What are all these other things?” Trixie stepped up to the door, ready to enter, when she felt an hoof hold her back.

“It is evil, Trixie. Pure and simple. All of these things are items that are better off destroyed, and, by the starlight, both my sister and I have tried, but they resist every attempt we have ever made to rid the world of them.” Luna pulled the pony farther back away from the door.

“Why are we here?” Trixie asked.

A heavy sigh came from the goddess as she stepped in front of her student. “There has been...an issue...that has arisen with Celestia, and I have to explore this chamber to find out what exactly has happened, so that I know how to repair it. So that I can save her.”

“And Trixie is here because?”

“As I stated, to stop me. This chamber contains the magic that created Nightmare Moon. If I start to succumb to the temptation once again, you have to stop me and drag me from this place as fast as you can. Do you understand?”

Luna stared down in Trixie’s eyes. There was a look of desperation and hope fighting against each other inside the goddess as she pleaded silently for Trixie’s aid. For her part, Trixie felt conflicted. This was what she wanted. The magic that was used to transform Luna into Nightmare Moon was within sight, but the feeling and the energy coming from that room felt...wrong. She wanted to be even more great and powerful than she already was, but she didn’t want to lose herself in the process. She wanted Luna and her sister to be taught a lesson, but she didn’t want become something worse to meet that end. Ultimately, she knew her answer.

“Of course,” Trixie said. “I will be here for you.”

“Thank you.” Luna’s smile became more genuine. “Stay outside. If you see me hesitate or do something questionable, make your move. I trust your judgment.”

Luna turned and took a single step into the diamond chamber. She stopped just inside, waiting to see what effect the room would have. She steeled herself against any possible problems, her thoughts focusing on saving her sister. She moved forward, walking past the table without a second glance, heading for the shelf that contained the scrolls that she suspected her sister had read. The exact same ones that began her journey just over a thousand years ago. 

Dust did not settle in the diamond room. The magic that kept these artifacts protected kept out all intruders, including mites and particles of debris. No decay or dissolution occurred. Everything remained pristine--or better. Still, Luna could sense it as she walked up to the shelf. The scrolls had been moved. Celestia had been there.

Trixie watched the goddess move carefully into the room. Her eyes, fully meant to stay on Luna, found themselves wandering to take in the items of the chamber. For a magician such as herself, this was a treasure trove of wonder, even as dark as these items seemed. Her eyes stopped, lingering on one spot, fixating on the beauty. 

The shoes of Nightmare Moon were so beautiful. And for a pony as image conscious as herself, Trixie found them totally captivating. She wasn’t even aware that she took a step inside the chamber as she stared at them.

Luna studied the shelves carefully, not daring to touch anything that she saw. At least six of the scrolls were disturbed, and likely eight. Far more than Luna had hoped.

“Celestia....” her voice trailed off, even as the flash of light distracted her.

Wheeling around towards the unexpected light, Luna was greeted with a ring flying onto and attaching itself to her horn. Her body twisted suddenly as she felt flat, soft bindings wrap around her front forelegs, pulling her to the shelf that rested now to her back. More silken ribbon shot out, wrapping around the shelf and her body, securing her tightly to the wooden structure. She stood on her hind legs, splayed against the shelf in a cocoon of blue ribbon. 

And before her stood The Great and Powerful Trixie. A simple show pony no longer, this was a mare of stature, standing almost as tall as Luna or Celestia, her body now long and lean, with a long-flowing mane of white that moved with a will of its own. On each of her hooves were shoes that looked very familiar to Luna.

“Trixie! No!” She shouted from her makeshift prison. Instinctively, Luna tried to activate her magic, but the ring that she created worked perfectly, preventing her from creating even a simple spark.

“I do not know why you were so hesitant about this place, Luna.” Trixie’s voice echoed with an empty, hollow sound. “I find these items quite becoming. I’m certain you can see the effect that it has had upon me.”

“Trixie,” Luna lowered her voice, keeping it calm and reassuring, “listen to me. It’s not too late. Take the shoes off. Reject the power. You can save yourself. You have the strength. I believe in you.”

“Strength? I have more strength than I ever imagined! This is all that Trixie has ever wanted. True power!” Her voice echoed off the crystalline walls.

Luna controlled her anger. “Trixie, I know what you are going through. I understand. But you need to understand that it is a lie. The power you are feeling will twist you. It will feed upon your own desires and corrupt them into something horrific. I know this as fact.” She tested the strength of the bindings, pulling against them with all her might to no effect. “It--it did it to me. It took my jealousy of my sister and made it--made me into a creature that wanted only to destroy her. To show that I was better than her. Don’t let that happen to you.”

“Twist me?” She paced back and forth in front of the captive goddess, displaying herself proudly. “But my dear princess, you have no idea what Trixie really wanted. I was here to find power, and I have. And understand this, I have been plotting revenge against you for weeks. I have been working my seduction constantly, hoping to find you in a moment of weakness and then, when you were ready for me, I was going to...deny you. Unlike some princesses in this realm, Trixie does not force herself upon others.”

“THAT is why you were fawning on me? For vengeance?” Luna’s anger peaked slightly.

“Yes, and if I wanted to I could show you exactly what you did to me. You are powerless right now. Totally at my mercy.” She brought her face right up to Luna’s. “But as I said: Trixie doesn’t do that. I am in control. I am The Great and--no, I am The All-Powerful Trixie!”

“Trixie,” Luna’s voice barely disguised her anger, “do not do this. Do not force us to take action against you. Put the shoes back and let us leave this place in peace. Please.”

“Please? The terrifying Goddess of the Night is begging Trixie? That is rich.” She moved away, stepping towards the large door. “But begging won’t help you. You claim that you are immortal? Well then, a stay down here, where nobody will even know to look for you, shouldn’t hurt you, but it will give you plenty of time to think, won’t it?”

“Beatrix! We command thee to release us! This instant!” The anger in Luna’s voice was no longer hidden. 

Trixie laughed. “I’m sorry princess, but you don’t command me any more. Enjoy your stay. Perhaps I will come back and visit you some day. Until then, I have some other ponies to call upon.”

“Trixie!” The pony stepped out of the room, her horn lit with powerful magic as the door began to close behind her. “Trixie, come back here!” The door fell shut with a heavy thud, sealing the the night goddess inside. 

“TRIXIEEEEE!!” Luna bellowed, but the only response was the echoing sound of laughter.

* * * * *

Spike sat on the doorstep to the library, his head in his clawed hands and a scowl on his face. His foot was shifting in the dirt, scuffing little lines into the dry soil, as he muttered something vaguely to himself.

“Ntgnnaltynwhnhdsmthnkndacllythr.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Spike, I didn’t quite make that out,” Fluttershy politely stated as she walked up. “And of course, good morning, too.”

“If you say so,” Spike answered more clearly.

“You sound very sad. What’s wrong?” The morning light was still bright across Ponyville, but Fluttershy was so worried about her friend that she felt the need to be there right at the beginning of day.

“Twilight locked me outta the house!” He stood up, defiantly stating his case. “And I didn’t do anything wrong, either. She just said I had to stay out here and guard the front door until she came and got me.”

“Oh, that sounds positively horrible. And she shouldn’t be alone right now. Not so soon after being in the hospital.” 

“She’s not alone. Zecora’s in there with her,” Spike explained.

“Zecora? What is she doing here?” Fluttershy asked.

“She showed up late last night. Said that she needed to talk to Twilight about the future or something. I think she thought Twilight was sick, and came here to help her.”

“Well, I should go in and make sure that they are both doing okay.” Fluttershy took a couple of steps towards the door before Spike stepped in her way.

“Nuh-uh. Twilight told me that everypony had to stay outside. No visitors.”

“Oh, well I wouldn’t want to be a bother. Maybe I should come back later.” Fluttershy took a step back.

“Come back? Do you have someplace else to be, Fluttershy, darling?” Rarity arrived on the scene, a pleasant smile on her face.

“Oh, hi Rarity,” Fluttershy said. “I didn’t know that you were back from Canterlot.”

“Yes, I got back last night. I was coming by to thank Twilight for taking care of my precious little Opal while I was away.” A package was resting on her back, wrapped up like a present.

“Well, Spike says that she doesn’t want visitors right now, but I’m just so worried about her since her visit to the hospital last night,” Fluttershy explained.

“Hospital?! Goodness, I hope that she is well? Whatever happened?”

“The poor dear hasn’t slept in almost two months! We took her to the hospital to run some tests.”

Rarity’s eyes bugged out. “TWO MONTHS?! Oh, we have to get in there to see her this instant!”

“No way! Nuh-uh!” Spike threw himself against the door, barring the way from his friends. “I would do almost anything for you, Rarity, but Twilight told me specifically not to let anypony inside.”

“But, Spikey-wikey, this is an emergency.” Rarity batted her eyelashes at the young dragon.

“I....” Spike stared up into the blue eyes of his beloved unicorn and almost lost himself. Almost. “No! No, I can’t. Twilight said.”

“Well, pooh,” Rarity snorted in disappointment. “Still, I am worried about Twilight. I don’t like her being alone.”

“Oh, she’s not alone,” Fluttershy said. “Spike told me that Zecora is in there with her.”

“Zecora? Oh, then perhaps she is being treated for her condition. Zecora is amazingly talented with her healing skills.”

“Oh, yes. That’s what Spike was just saying,” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“We should check on them,” Rarity said, moving around the library suddenly.

“Check on them? What do you mean?” 

“I mean make sure that things are going well. Twilight can be a little headstrong sometimes, and she might still need our help, after all,” Rarity explained as she walked around looking for an open window.

“But wouldn’t that be rude?” Fluttershy followed behind, nervously.

“Not at all. We’re simply insuring that our dear friend is safe and not in need of our assistance.” 

“I guess that’s true.”

“Drat!” Rarity came to a stop after making a full-circle trot around the library. “All of the lower windows are closed. Fluttershy, be a dear and fly up to one of those upper windows and have a teensy peek inside the library, would you?”

“Up there?” Fluttershy looked up at one of the second floor windows.

“Yes, darling. I would do it, but I seem to be lacking the wings needed for flying today.”

“Well, okay.” She slowly and carefully flew up to the second story window that was above them. Hesitating for a moment, Fluttershy eventually moved her head up to the window and looked inside. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but when they did she let out a small gasp.

Twilight Sparkle lay on her back, surrounded by a dozen or more pillows and multiple candles that gave the room a warm glow, even with the morning light piercing through the drapes in a few locations. Zecora sat beside her, a brush steady in her hoof as she finished tracing a line into the lavender unicorn’s coat. From head to tail, Twilight was covered in tribal markings. Circles and swirls, lines and curves, every area of her body was now decorated in a deep red ink or paint of some kind.

“Are you sure this is necessary?” Twilight asked, trying hard not to move.

“It is if we don’t want the ritual diminished,
and beside that point, I am now finished.”

Zecora set down the brush as Twilight careened her head up to look around at her body and everything that had been added over the past couple of hours. Her eyes darted about as her friend moved behind her, a vial of liquid in her hooves.

“And you are sure this stuff will come off, right?” Twilight asked, concerned.

“Fear not little pony, I know what I do,
in a few days it will all fade from you.”

“A few days?!” Twilight spun her head around to look at Zecora. “What am I supposed to do until then?”

“I cannot tell you what to do long term,
but for now I say lie back, relax, and learn.”

Zecora poured a small amount from the vial she brought over onto her hooves and rubbed them together, warming the oil. Gently, she brought them down to stroke Twilight’s face.

“Well, I...I...wow, that feels nice,” Twilight tried to protest, but found the sensation too alluring to continue.

From her viewpoint in the window, Fluttershy hovered breathlessly.

“What is going on, darling?” Rarity asked.

“They’re talking. I think.” She answered.

“About what?”

“I am going to have to watch some more to figure that out.” Fluttershy never took her eyes off the scene inside the library.

Her hooves moved down Twilight’s body as Zecora spoke. 

“Let your body relax and your mind unfold,
and when we join, your spirit shall be told.”

“Join?” Twilight asked softly, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the experienced hooves caressing her body.

“I have already told you, my friend mare,
for this to work, our bodies we must share.
I have seen what lies on the outside for now,
but the inner spirit will show a committed vow.”

“Uh-huh,” Twilight said softly, “but this isn’t what I was expecting. I was thinking something far less...sensual.”

“Do not discount the power of a caress,
it allows the body and soul to acquiesce.
And, unless I am very mistaken,
it will cause your loins to awaken.”

The zebra moved her hooves down Twilight’s body, touching the inner thighs of her rear legs. Twilight could feel her sex respond, the damp sensation turning into a flood of passion. Zecora smiled and pulled her hooves off of the unicorn, hearing a slightly whimper of disappointment as she did.

“Well, are you hearing anything?” Rarity asked.

“Um, not much. Not yet, anyway,” Fluttershy answered, still keeping her eyes inside the library. “Zecora was just putting something on Twilight, and now she seems to be picking up an object.”

“Ah, good. So she is performing a healing ritual of some sort. That’s good to hear,” Rarity said with a smile.

“Uh-huh.” Fluttershy kept watching.

“What’s that?” Twilight had opened her eyes when she felt Zecora move to position herself between her legs. Holding up a long white phallus decorated with more tribal markings, Zecora explained.

“This device is called a lingam,
and it will connect us and then some.
But I can only do it with your permission,
if I am to discover the truth, magician.”

“Uh, yeah. Yeah, that sounds okay,” she answered, her body deeply desiring more of the zebra’s attention. Zecora grabbed Twilight and shifted her until she was lying directly on one of the larger pillows, elevating her hips slightly.

“Then we must make ready and prepare,
for this lingam is looking for a new lair.”

Zecora’s eyes softened as she looked down into Twilight’s. She brought the lingam up to her mouth and her tongue extended out, slowly lapping up the length of the phallus as she stared at the unicorn. She moved her head over the top of the object, and slowly lowered her mouth down, engulfing it until half of its length disappeared down her throat. Twilight watched, her eyes glazed over, as she pulled it most of the way out of her mouth, only to swallow it down once more. Slowly, she pulled the length of it completely from her mouth, a string of spittle trailing from her tongue to the tip of the lingam. 

“Now, little pony, you must repeat my action,
it allows the ritual to gain the most traction.”

She moved the lingam to Twilight’s lips, beckoning her to follow suit. “I--I’ve never done anything like this before.” She said, looking at the item before her.

“The biggest key is to relax,
take it slowly, do not attack.”

Heeding the zebra’s words, Twilight tentatively stuck out her tongue, letting it brush against the surface of the phallus. A strange tingle shot across her mouth and she pulled back.

“There is magic in this item, do not fear,
it must be that way to make things clear.”

It wasn’t fear that caused her to recoil, it was a memory. Twilight looked again and saw the horn of Celestia, her mouth surrounding it as a jolt of tingling magic danced across her tongue and down her throat. The wetness of her sex only multiplied with that image in her head. 

She brought her head up and surrounded the object with her mouth, taking just the tip of it inside. Her tongue played across the oddly rough surface, the carved symbols creating a new sensation. Without thinking, she pushed her head forward, taking as much of it into her mouth as she could. For a moment, she felt as though she was going to gag, but her determination powered past it and her mouth traveled far down the shaft of the lingam.

“For somepony who claims this is new,
you certainly know how to follow through.”

Twilight pulled back, letting the phallus slip from her mouth. “Just lucky, I guess.”

Zecora smiled and turned the lingam around, looking deeply into Twilight’s eyes for a moment. Then her eyes changed focus, slipping down the unicorn’s body until they rested on her wet marehood. With delicate care she put the tip of the object on the outside of Twilight’s sex, rubbing it back and forth for a moment. Twilight felt the rough texture of the lingam stroking against her outer lips, and then after a little more pressure was applied, rubbing against her swelling clit.

A moan escaped Twilight as the lingam was pushed inside her. Slowly, Zecora inched the phallus into the unicorn’s wet pussy, feeling the walls clench and relax against it as she moved it along. With agile care, she began to move it in and out, advancing it a little deeper with every thrust. Twilight’s cunt responded to the action, allowing more and more to enter with greater ease, until the full half of the lingam was completely insider her. Twilight looked up when the driving motion stopped, wordlessly pleading for more. Zecora smiled as she shifted her own body, bringing her marehood up to the other end of the phallus.

Twilight could see the slick moisture that had dripped from the zebra’s pussy. Zecora moved herself to the other head of the lingam, rubbing herself over it with a deep roll of content coming from her throat. The dim light wasn’t ideal, but Twilight could make out the folds of the other mare’s sex, and watched as she lowered herself onto the phallus, holding it steady so that it didn’t push completely against the half that was already inside the unicorn. In only a matter of seconds, Zecora had lowered herself down until the two mare’s cunts were in direct contact, an ivory rod of pleasure connecting their innermost passion zones.

“What are they doing n--” Rarity never got a chance to finish her question.

“Shush! I’m watching!” Fluttershy had her hooves on the window sill as she leaned in closer.

Pulling back slightly, Zecora started out very slowly, making sure that Twilight was ready and able to proceed.

“Relax Twilight Sparkle, enjoy the ride,
allow the lingam to be your simple guide.”

“I--I’m trying.” Twilight’s voice was rushed and gasping as the phallus continued to stimulate her pussy with new experiences. Between the engraved ridges and the magical tingle, her vagina was ready to explode.

“Take you time little pony, use tempo for some,
we must time this out so that united we cum.
Let our spirits flow back and forth through the shaft,
the magic only works if we have done this with craft.”

Thrusting her hips forward, Twilight began to find a rhythm with Zecora. Their hips slipping in and out in synchronicity, pushing and pulling the phallus between them in such a way that they both felt penetrated and penetrating at the same time. 

Their tempo built slowly, as did the depth of their strokes. Soon their cunts were slapping against each other in unified pleasure, as their hardened clits struck, sending sharp jolts of electric pleasure through their bodies.   

“I--I think I’m going...to cum.” Twilight’s voice was straining, fighting to find words against the primal sensation overwhelming her.

“No, you cannot do that just yet,
continue to hold out for a little bit.
Your thrusts and pushes are great
and very soon my pleasure will elate.
But hold on until then I say you must,
or this entire endeavor will be a bust.”

Twilight grunted in agreement, amazed that Zecora had the ability to speak so clearly during sex. She redoubled her effort, convinced that the only way she was going to be able to find release was to make sure that the zebra on the other end of the phallus stuck inside her cunt was driven over the edge. 

Rising up to gain leverage, Twilight began to force herself down onto Zecora. In response, the zebra shifted her hips up, allowing herself to be penetrated more deeply and forcefully. Juices began to flow down the lingam, coating Zecora with the fluid dripping out of Twilight’s pussy. 

Grunts of animalistic ardor was the only sound Twilight could make at this point, all of her will holding back the orgasm that was ready to explode. She could see Zecora clinching her teeth together, her face twisted into a picture of raw pleasure. Their eyes locked, staring into each other in a trance that drove them to drive their marehoods solidly together, pushing each other towards release. Twilight knew she couldn’t hold out any longer, and thankfully, that was when Zecora spoke.

“Now Twilight Sparkle! Now we are done!
At this very moment I need you to cum!” 

Zecora reached up and grabbed Twilight by the legs, pulling her tightly against her, uniting their cunts in a kiss, the phallus connecting them completely. Both mare’s bodies twitched as their juices poured freely, drenching the pillow that supported them. Husky, guttural sounds filled the room as the two ponies rode out their orgasms together.

“That...was amazing,” Twilight panted, her body falling over completely relaxed. “It was the most--” she thought about her night with Luna and Celestia. “One of the most  intense things I could imagine.”

“Yes that is the ultimate result for most,
such is the nature of the carved magic post.
It binds your spirit into it as well as mine,
letting your nature and it somewhat combine.
It is not easy task to complete, my friend,
and after three more times our task should end.”

The words rattled around in Twilight’s head for a moment before she responded.

“WHAT?! Three more?” Her head shot up, staring down her body at the zebra still attached to her through a magical sex toy.

“Um, I think they might be a while.” Fluttershy swallowed hard, trying to bring herself back to the moment.

“Well, is Twilight okay?” Rarity asked.

“Oh, she definitely looked like she was just fine,” Fluttershy said, flying down to the ground to land next to her friend. “Zecora seemed to be taking very good care of her. Very good.”

“Well then, I suppose we should let them finish the task they have at hoof. We can occupy ourselves otherwise for a while,” Rarity smiled.

Fluttershy’s eyes were glazed over staring at the beautiful white pony in front of her. Half closed, they peered out at Rarity, seductively trying to draw the pony into them. Her arousal was almost palpable.

“And what do you want to do until then?” She asked softly. “Maybe we can go back to your boutique to spend some...quality time together?”

“I beg your pardon?” Rarity pulled back. “I am flattered, Fluttershy, dear, but you do know that I am spoken for. I am in a very committed relationship right now.”

“Oh, that’s right,” her voice dropped off as she lowered her eyes. “I’m so very sorry. I hope you don’t hate me.”

“Hate you? Don’t be ridiculous, darling. You are one of my absolute dearest friends.”

“Well, what should we do, then?” 

“How long do you suppose Twilight is going to be engaged with Zecora?” Rarity asked.

“Oh, from the looks of things, I would guess about another hour or so.”

“Perfect! We can go to the most delightful little restaurant near here for breakfast, and I can tell you all about my latest trip to Canterlot. My treat.” Rarity didn’t wait for an answer, turning to walk off into Ponyville.

Fluttershy followed behind, a somewhat sad and sexually frustrated pony. “Well, at least something is going to get eaten by me this morning...”

* * * * *

Carefully, Luna brought her horn down onto the shelf behind her, sliding it up until she felt the ring that had lodged itself onto the spire click against the wood. Shifting around until it was positioned above the ledge, she slowly tried to pull back. And once again the ring clicked back over the edge, firmly attached to her horn. She had lost count of how many times she had tried this and failed, and the frustration was getting the better of her.

“AAAAAAAUUUGGGHHHH!” Her scream was primal and therapeutic, at least to an extent. It gave her a moment to gather her wits about her and regroup.

“Think, Luna,” she said aloud. “The only other being that could get you out of here is Celestia, and she has been coming down here, you know that. Perhaps she’ll be coming back down here soon, and that will release me.”

But that was exactly what Luna hoped would not happen. She wanted her sister to stay fully clear of the items in this room. She was looking for a way to remove their influence from Celestia and keep her sister clear of this room. But right now, it seemed to be her only hope of escape.

“Oh, poor, poor Luna.” The voice was rich and silky smooth. “Are you feeling alone again?”

“Who is that? Who’s there?” Luna looked about as best she could, trying to locate the voice that seemed to echo from everywhere.

“You shouldn’t feel alone. I’m right here. I’ll always be right here. And I can help you out of this horrible mess. I can help you make everything better.” 

“Show yourself!” Luna commanded, her tone strong and clear. “Where are you?”

“Why, I’m right here, Luna. Right where you left me.” Luna heard a scraping sound, and turned to the table in front of her. The gleaming helmet resting there slowly rotated around, coming to a stop, facing the night goddess directly. Two glowing dim lights of teal stared out at her from either eye slot.

“No.” Luna’s voice cracked, tears suddenly welling in her eyes. “Please, no. No. Get away from me. GET AWAY!”

“Now, Luna, is that any way to talk to an old friend?” Nightmare Moon asked gently.


...to be continued.
> Chapter Three
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Who Rules?: The Ascended
by Nom deCheval



Chapter Three


“Princess?” The voice echoed in Celestia’s ears. There was a long pause, making her realize that she needed to respond.

“Of course. Forgive me, I was considering all of the options.” What was it he was talking about? Something about tariffs on importing grain? “I trust your take on this, minister. Proceed with the plan that you have outlined. Write up an official proposal and I will approve it.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” he said, bowing deeply to the princess. He stepped away from the throne, leaving the next in line ready to step forward. 

“Forgive me, but I will need a few minutes.” Celestia’s words stopped the elder colt’s approach, her customary serene expression easing any possibility of concern. “I will return shortly.”

Celestia stood and spread her wings, and with a restrained beat took to the air. The wind from her lift-off pushed the papers resting near the throne, scattering them about the room. The matriarch never even looked backwards, exiting through the large window on the far side of the room. 

Once in the open air, she no longer felt the need to hold back and extended her wings to their full reach, beating them mightily and stretching up into the sky. The air felt good on her face, cool and refreshing. The cliffs above Canterlot Castle held streams and ponds that became the waterfalls that fed into the castle’s system, and that was her destination. 

She banked gently, letting the wind play against her feathers as she aimed for the highest point in the series of falls. Her hooves touched down gently, letting her step forward to the water’s edge, folding her wings down beside her. She bent down and took a drink from the stream that fed the waterfall, enjoying the clean taste of the mountain water. When she turned back towards the overlook, her expression could have boiled the water to steam.

“It has been twenty-one hours,” she muttered. “Twenty-one hours since she last spoke to me. Since I last saw her.” Fire sparked in her eyes. “How DARE she? She may be my sister, but she is not above reproach. Perhaps she doesn’t understand how much I worry about her. How much I care.”

She walked to the edge, staring down at the castle below her, her eyes glowing red as her mane reflected the color of the noonday sun. 

“All of those ponies below trying to beg for help. Looking to me forever for guidance. I am always the one that has to be in control, guiding them with a gentle hoof. Only Luna truly understood and was there for me, and now she has abandoned me. If these little ponies would just obey me without question, then I could solve all their problems. My love for them could direct them perfectly. That would allow me plenty of time to spend with my sister.” The smile on Celestia’s face seemed wrong, out of place. “And anypony that dared defy my love would burn under the heat of the sun.”

Her eyes darted around the castle below her, images of destruction burning in her mind. Suddenly the smile faded from her face and her eyes faded from red to magenta. Shock and fear took over as she staggered back from the edge of the cliff.

“Wha--what was I thinking?” Her voice was uneasy with concern. “I don’t mean any of those things.” She shook her head violently, trying to clear away unpleasant thoughts. “That was not me. It wasn’t.”

Looking down at the castle, she spread her wings once more. “I need to return to court. Get through the day. Luna will surely meet me for dinner tonight, and I can speak to her about all of this.”

With effortless ease the sun goddess took to the skies, spiraling down towards the castle and her throne below. She didn’t look back. She never saw the burning hoof prints she left behind on the mountainside.

* * * * *

A couple of quick knocks were all that preceded Rarity opening the door to the library. “Knock, knock! Are you here, darling? I was just stopping by to see how you were doing.”

Stepping inside, Rarity immediately laid eyes on Twilight Sparkle, who was standing at the large table she kept in the center of the room. Beside her, Zecora was intently working above an ample bowl of liquid. She barely even noticed the zebra, though, as she couldn’t take her eyes off off the deep red markings covering Twilight.

“Good heavens!” she blurted out. “Twilight, what have you done to your coat?”

“Hmmm?” Twilight turned to look at her friend, her expression oddly distant. “Oh, hi Rarity. Um, oh, that. Zecora was...casting a spell on me earlier. And this was a part of it.”

“Well it must come off you this instant! It is a travesty to good fashion sense everywhere.” 

“In a minute, Rarity. Right now I need to help Zecora with what she’s doing.”

“Oh, pish-posh, surely whatever she’s doing can wait for you to be cleaned up and looking your best. Good grooming doesn’t happen by itself, after all,” Rarity said.

“Is it safe to come in?” Fluttershy finally poked her head in the door, tentatively looking about to make sure that everything was back to normal. Her eyes had a combination of fear and excitement to them. 

“Everything is fine, Fluttershy,” Twilight answered. “Thanks for taking care of me yesterday.”

“How are you feeling today?” Fluttershy slowly walked into the library, now focused on her friend.

“I’m fine, honest.” 

“Fine? Darling, you are anything but fine. I won’t let you be seen in public right now.” The pristine unicorn moved towards the bathroom, prepared to bring back anything and everything needed to clean a pony.

“Um, are you and Zecora...finished?” Fluttershy asked in an odd tone. “I mean with everything that she was doing to help you out. To help you. To be helpful.”

“Uh, yeah,” Twilight answered, confused, “she got everything out of me that she needed. I think.”

“Did she find out what was wrong with you?” Fluttershy moved closer to Twilight, cautiously keeping the unicorn between herself and Zecora. “And what is she doing now?”

“I am trying to find where Twilight’s destiny lies.” Zecora kept her eyes on the bowl, watching the waters swirl carefully.
“And if I find the answer, then the world doesn’t die.”

“What?” Fluttershy’s eyes bulged as she shrunk further behind Twilight. 

“Zecora had a vision that something about my future led to something...bad...happening,” Twilight explained. “The problem is that she isn’t sure exactly what or how.”

“You’re going to destroy the world?” Fluttershy stepped away from Twilight.

“No!” Her denial was emphatic, as much to convince herself as her friend. “I thought that same thing at first, but Zecora thinks that I’m just connected somehow. That it isn’t really me that does anything bad. And now that she’s gotten some connection to me she thinks that she might be able to figure the details out.”

“The details out to what?” Rarity asked as she made her way back into the room, a bucket of water and several bottles in tow.

Twilight let out an exasperated sigh. “OF HOW I DO OR DON’T DESTROY THE WORLD!”

“You?” Rarity all but laughed. “Twilight, you are far too good and kind to even think about harming anypony, let alone everypony. That sounds like a simply preposterous supposition. Now, stand over in the light so I can scrub you down properly.”

“Do not touch her scribings at this time,
I need them for the answers to unwind.
In just a minute your cleansing can begin,
Clarity is now near, riding on the wind.”

The bowl in front of Zecora let out a faint light, covering the zebra’s face in an ominous glow. 

“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Rarity directed the question at Zecora, but she looked at everypony in the room. “Twilight, what is going on?”

“I’m not sure, Rarity. That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”

“Well, where is Spike? Shouldn’t he be helping?” Rarity asked.

“He was up all night,” Twilight explained. “I told him to go get some sleep.”

“Um, can I help?” Fluttershy asked, unsure of what she could do.

“Right now I don’t know what anypony can do but wait,” Twilight said with a faint sigh.

“Oh, well, I can help you wait,” Fluttershy offered.

“And I can, as well,” Rarity agreed.

“The waiting is the part that is hard,
It might go faster if I had an oak shard.”

“An oak shard? How would that help?” Twilight asked.

“The oak is a piece of life very old,
it could help unravel the tale to be told.”

“Oh, so you’re saying that because the oak has been alive longer it offers more perspective,” Twilight said with a smile.

Rarity blinked. “You got that from what she said?”

“Yeah, it’s actually kinda clear after a while.” She turned to Zecora. “I’ve got some oak in my basement. I’ll run and grab a piece.”

There was a brief pause before Twilight spoke again. “No, it’s okay, Rarity. I’ll be fine getting it myself. It’s no problem.”

“Um, she didn’t say anything, Twilight,” Fluttershy said.

“It’s true, darling, though I was thinking about it.”

“Is her proclamation true at this time?
Did you truly read that pony’s mind?”

“No!” She hesitated. “At least I don’t think so....”

“This has happened before, Twilight. You did it with Spike just after your return from Canterlot. I was there,” Rarity stated, stepping up to her friend, a concerned look on her face.

“Y-you can read minds?” Fluttershy’s face turned bright red. She was trying desperately not to think about the image of Twilight and Zecora together that she saw earlier in the day.

“I don’t read minds. I...I don’t know what is happening to me. But that’s what we’re trying to figure out, right? Just wait here, I’ll be right back.”

She turned and trotted down the stairs, heading straight to where she knew the oak was waiting. It wasn’t alone.

“I have been waiting for you, Twilight Sparkle,” a hollow voice said from the shadows. 

“Trixie?” She turned to look towards the source and saw the unicorn stepping out into the light, her appearance far from what she expected. “What happened to you?”

The tall, regal-looking pony smiled. “That is exactly what Trixie wants to speak with you about. In private.”

A bright blue flash filled the room, leaving nothing and no pony behind.

“Trixie?” Rarity’s voice called down the stairs as she walked into the basement. She looked around and saw an empty space. “I would swear I heard her voice. Twilight? Twilight are you here?”

There was no answer.

* * * * *

“Did you miss me, Luna, dear?” Nightmare Moon’s voice rang clear through the room.

“I deny you. You are no longer a part of me,” Luna answered through clenched teeth, her voice wavering.

The air in the room felt cold. It hadn’t changed temperature in reality, but to Luna if felt as though it had dropped by a dozen degrees. She was still trapped, tied tightly to one of the large shelves filling the diamond chamber, secured there by the ribbons that Trixie had summoned. The ring--the one that she herself had created--was firmly on her horn, blocking her magic. She was trapped.

“Deny me? But Luna, we are bound together, you and I,” she said seductively. “Oh, I’m sorry. Is bound a bad word to use right now? You do appear to be slightly tied up at the moment.”

“Begone, demon.” Luna turned her head away from the helmet on the table in front of her, trying desperately to ignore the glowing teal eyes that stared out at her.

“So, tell me, Luna, what have you been up to?” Nightmare Moon continued. “Have you found your place in the world yet?”

Silence filled the room as the princess ignored the voice.

“I’m guessing not. But I have to say, I do like the new look. Very regal. Very powerful looking. Do you find yourself more powerful now, Luna?” Her voice dripped of honey and sarcasm.

Luna continued to ignore the voice, concentrating on the ribbons binding her once again.

“Oh please. Don’t even pretend you can’t hear me. Or that you can break those bindings. You’re stuck here,” Nightmare Moon said with a dry tone.

“Not forever!” Luna screamed back, turning her head towards the helm. “Unlike you, some day I will once again set my hooves outside this room. You will be trapped here until you finally die.”

“Oh, but I can’t die. I’m made from the same life force as you. I am immortal,” she bragged. “And we are tied together for that eternity, as well. You are my mother, my sister, and my daughter.”

“I am none of those things!” Luna spat.

“Of course you are, dear Luna,” Nightmare Moon said in a sultry voice. “You gave birth to me. You found the magic that created me inside you and nurtured me to life. And then we bonded, becoming so much more than either of us hoped for alone. And now look at you. You walk about in a form that is closer to the way that we looked together than you did before you birthed me. You are so beautiful.”

“Do not say that,” Luna said.

“Oh, but you are! You have made yourself into an amazingly beautiful mare. I mean, you were always cute, but how well did that hold up living in the shadow of your sister? But look at you now!”

“Please, be silent,” her voice cracked slightly.

“I am so proud of you. No longer just fading into the background, letting your sister get all of the attention.”

“Do NOT speak of Celestia.” Tears welled up as her voice found strength.

“Oh, are you not on good terms with her? Is that why she’s been coming down here and reading the scrolls? Because you and she have been arguing again?” Nightmare Moon’s voice took on an air of condescension. 

“You do not know us at all!” She lashed out at the bindings, her head thrusting as far forward as she was able, trying to get to the taunting eyes.

“Oh, that is a sore spot,” Nightmare Moon replied unfazed. “Has something happened between you two? Do you want to talk to me about it? I’m a very good listener.”

“I love my sister! And Tia loves me! I came down here to stop her from making a horrible mistake!” Luna continued to push against her prison.

“And you’ve done such a magnificent job of it. I’m sure that the next time she comes down here she’ll be so proud of you and the way that you were able to have yourself humiliated by that unicorn. She was delightful, by the way.” 

“What did you do to Trixie?” Luna asked.

“Me? I’m here, Luna dear. The unicorn was just...charmed...by my shoes. It may have given her a slight power boost as well, but it was worth it to get to spend some new quality time with you, my love.” Nightmare Moon’s voice sounded almost romantic.

“You are not allowed to call me that! Only Celes--” She stopped herself short, already fearful of what she said. “You are not allowed to say that to me.”

“You’re kidding me,” Nightmare Moon said flatly. “Are you telling me that you and your sister are now, shall we say, personally involved?” Her tone changed as she continued to speak, becoming much sharper. “The very same Celestia that stood against us in Equestria? The very same one that cruelly banished us to the moon for a thousand years? You are romantically involved with her. Your own sister.”

“BE SILENT!” Luna screamed.

“Don’t be so upset, Luna. Maybe she’s just coming down here to be more like us? Have you considered that? Perhaps she truly has changed, and now wants to be more like her sister. You wanted to be more like us--look at your body--and that influence has carried over to her.”

“Th-that’s not true,” Luna protested weakly. 

“Oh, but it is,” the voice replied gently. “You are so beautiful and powerful now that Celestia sits in awe of you, doesn’t she? She will sit there and admire your body and wish that she was you. You know that to be true. And we can lord it over her. Stand above her and laugh down at her as she finally admits our superiority!”

“Our?” Luna commented.

“Your. I meant your, of course,” Nightmare Moon quickly explained. “But isn’t that an image that you have always wanted to see? Celestia bowing before you, acknowledging you with the same reverence that others do for her?”

“You--you don’t know--”

“I know you. Don’t deny that,” the voice smoothly interrupted. “We shared every moment for over a thousand years, remember. You want to see her call you queen.”

Luna turned her eyes away reflexively, unable to look at the glowing eyes for a moment.

“Oh my. She already does that, doesn’t she?” A hint of joy filled Nightmare Moon’s voice. “You dominate her, don’t you? Oh, that is a rush of power, isn’t it? To have the goddess that banished us to the moon at our hooves, kissing them and obeying our every command. I’m feeling aroused myself at the thought.”

“What?” Luna replied confused and weak.

“Don’t be so shocked. I may lack our current physical form, but my mind is still very active. And what about you? If you remain trapped here, you may never get to feel that again. Never share an intimate moment with your dear, luscious sister again. Never feel her warm lips touching your hooves.”

“Stop,” she tried to protest.

“Do you not want to be with her again? To taste her lips once more? You do, I know it.” It felt to Luna as though Nightmare Moon was whispering in her ear. “I bet that you have even punished her for misbehaving. A rod on her flank. Perhaps make her clean your hooves with her tongue.”

A whimper escaped from Luna.

“Oh, you have. You enjoy that feeling. And from your reaction, she enjoys it, too. The mighty Celestia worshipping you and pleasuring you. Such a rush. Is it the fact that it brings her pleasure that excites you most, or the fact that she is so willing to please you?”

“Stop.” Luna closed her eyes, trying to shut off the voice around her.

“Let me set the scene.” Nightmare Moon’s voice was husky and seductive. “You are in your chambers, late at night, the stars and moon are perfect, of course, and shining down through the windows. The door opens, as you knew it would, and a mare of pristine white steps inside. You smile.”

Luna twisted her head from side to side, hoping to find a position that blocked her ears. Something--anything--to rid herself of the voice haunting her at the moment.

“She walks over to you, her head down and eyes lowered, knowing not to look at you directly right now. There is almost an air of electricity sparking between the two of you as she steps closer. At the last minute, she bows down, her head touching the ground before us as a single word exits her mouth--’Mistress.’”

Her eyes pressed tightly closed, Luna tried in vain not to picture the image being sensually described to her at the moment. She couldn’t help herself. The vision of Celestia, her wings laid flat, her eyes down, her head completely bowed, it was something that she had seen many times, and it was clear to her.

“We present our hoof, and gladly Celestia kisses it, thrilled to be allowed contact with us. She presses her lips to it again and again, showing her servitude and acknowledging out superiority.” Nightmare Moon’s voice slipped from seductive to gloating for just a second, but Luna was concentrating on ignoring her too hard to notice. “We switch hooves, just for a moment, to allow her to even out her groveling. And then a wicked thought crosses our minds. One corner of our lips curls up as we turn and present our flank to her, commanding that it be shown the same attention that she paid to our hooves.”

Luna could feel the tone of arousal growing in Nightmare Moon’s voice. What was worse, she could feel her own body reacting equally.

“Without hesitation her lips connect to our hind leg and begin to work their way up. From lower leg to upper leg and finally coming to rest on our magnificent flank. The lips of the sun pressed against the mark of the moon. She kisses her way all around the flank, moving across to the other side--passing just above the tail--and covering it in affection.

“Our tail flicks, moving back and forth reflexively, until we take over consciously and move it to one side, wordlessly telling the inferior sun where to go. And she obeys. A long, experienced tongue graces the inside of our thigh, testing our response to her presence. She knows how to please, and we approve.”

Memories of Celestia’s touch replay in Luna’s mind and body, causing the dampness between her legs to grow.

“The tongue touches our marehood, and Celestia is pleasing us completely. She is servicing our sex, lapping our juices as they run freely from us. We demand that she lick up every drop, letting nothing touch our leg, let alone the ground, and she redoubles her efforts. She is tracing our nether lips with her tongue and kissing our hardened clitoris with her mouth.”

Luna wanted to touch herself. To bring some relief to her own arousal and ignore this monster once again, but she couldn’t. And the words were so enticing. She squirmed against her bindings, hoping that the fabric would rub against her in just the right way, but the light, brushing touch only drove her more deeply into lust.

“I want her humiliated. I want her to feel lower than me.” There was a brief pause as Nightmare Moon caught herself. “We decide to test her devotion. We order her to lick our tailhole. To clean it completely. She hesitates, but a stern look from us puts her immediately under control once more, and her tongue moves up. She licks gingerly at first, barely grazing the surface, but a quick grab of magic against her head, forcing her into our flank shows the seriousness of our request. She responds in earnest, tonguing our tailhole. Then we tell her to stick her tongue inside, and whether it is because of our superior nature or her own arousal, this time she does it without hesitation.”

Opening her eyes, Luna looked over at the helm on the table, the teal light of the eyes pulsing as the voice spoke. She wanted to hear more.

“The tongue moves in, long and hard, forcing its way deep into our ass. We order her to remain still as we begin to move our flank back and forth, fucking ourselves against her tongue. It’s wet and slick, but hard enough to probe us deep enough to truly feel penetrated. All it does is drive our passion, and make us want true release.

“Pulling away, a whimper escapes the pathetic little sun goddess. We tell her that she will be allowed to please her mistress completely, and once again present our marehood. She dives in, driven mad with lust, her tongue begins to plunge the depths of our cunt. Driving in and out, licking up and down, drinking in all that we have to offer. And our body responds, letting a flow of juices out to signal our arousal, the walls of our pussy tightening and contracting around her tongue as we prepare to spill our cum out into her mouth.”

Luna’s mouth was hanging open, a small bit of drool formed at the corner, wanting to hear the end. Wanting to know that release was coming.

“But that doesn’t happen.” Nightmare Moon’s voice changed dramatically, going from deep sexual arousal to slightly whimsical. “It can’t. Not with you trapped down here. Not with Celestia still up in the castle.”

“NO! Finish your story!” Luna shouted. “Tell me how you see it ending, and I will make it true when my sister comes for me. She will come down here. We will be together again soon!”

“Will you? Oh, it’s possible, I suppose, but then...why did you come down here? Wasn’t it about Celestia reading those scrolls? I’ve watched her do it, you know. Watched her reading them and taking in their magic. It was fun.”

Luna scowled. “Celestia is stronger than both of us together.”

“Oh, I’m sure. She is the all-mighty goddess of Equestria, is she not?” Nightmare Moon sounded mockingly reassuring. “But then, what about Trixie? She just got power, and sounded as though she wanted to deal with your sister as well. Maybe she will go after Celestia. Or maybe one of her most trusted aides. Or maybe even--what was her name again--oh yes, Twilight Sparkle. It is a shame that you can’t warn her.”

“She will come for me,” Luna insisted.

“She doesn’t even know you are here. And since you probably came down here because you found out what she was doing, she probably won’t come down here because she thinks that you are mad at her for that exact thing. As long as you don’t show your face, she won’t ever set hoof in here. You will never know her touch again, and she will die of a broken heart.” The voice was cruel and twisting.

“I--I will free myself, then,” Luna said with weak resolve.

“No, you won’t. You don’t have the power.” Luna could swear that the helmet grew a smile. “But I do.”

“You have no power on your own!” she shouted at the helm, trying desperately to find strength. “You are nothing but a specter looking for a host to give you form.”

“Exactly. And you could be that host. You could welcome me back, Luna. We could be together again. Whole. And we could return to the castle, warn your sister, save Twilight Sparkle, and celebrate in...intimate fashion.” Syrup practically dripped from the words. 

“I will never give in to you again,” Luna clenched her teeth.

“Give in? I’m just wanting to help you escape. And find a way that I can once again feel. You weren’t the only one trapped for a thousand years, after all. I was too brash when we first returned. I’ve had time to calm down.”

“You’re lying,” she said.

“I can free you. That is the truth. Without me you are trapped here, perhaps for another thousand years. I cannot make you do anything, Luna. I can only help you if you let me, you know that. Let me help you, Luna. Let me help us.”

“I will never be your puppet again,” Luna’s voice sounded weaker.

“And you won’t be. I was almost destroyed not that long ago. I don’t have the power to do anything like that. I simply want the means to feel once more. Do you think my story had no effect on me? I want Celestia as much as you do. Let me take you to her.”

“I won’t let you harm her,” Luna explained.

“And I won’t harm her. Just let me free you. I can restore us, Luna.” The teal light began to leak from the helmet, swirling about and reaching out towards the trapped goddess. Tendrils exploring up, snaking around the head and horn of Luna. “Together we will be unstoppable.”

The ring on Luna’s horn shattered.

* * * * *

The world returned to Twilight Sparkle as she opened her eyes, unsure of her surroundings.

“Wh-where am I? What happened?” She stood up, her legs weak and unsure like a newborn foal, staggering around the room. She suddenly felt a heavy weight around her neck, and brought her hoof up to feel what was there. She was wearing a thick collar of some sort. She summoned magic to her horn, trying to remove the collar--or at least she tried. Nothing was happening. Trying again, she felt a panic growing in her heart.

“Do not fear, Twilight Sparkle. I have removed your magic for now. I don’t want you running off, after all.” Trixie stepped into the room, her horn igniting several torches that hung on the walls. “It is time that we talked.”

“Trixie?” Twilight stared at the pony, who looked only vaguely as she remembered. She stood much taller now, almost as large as Celestia, but she was still just a unicorn. “What happened to you?”

“I have been reborn. No longer am I simply The Great and Powerful Trixie. No, you look upon The All-Powerful Trixie!” Her lips curled up in a smile as she spoke her own name.

“Wait a second. You came to my house. You were in the basement and then we...teleported? You’ve never been able to teleport before,” Twilight stated.

“You will find that my power has easily grown to match my new stature, Twilight Sparkle. You will soon discover many things, in fact.” 

“What’s going on, Trixie? What happened to you?” she asked.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Trixie asked, moving about the room. “I found power. I found something worthy of myself.”

Bright metal shoes, reflecting the blue of the unicorn began to glow in the dim light. Twilight recognized them instantly.

“Those are Nightmare Moon’s shoes. Trixie, you didn’t...”

“They are now TRIXIE’S shoes. I have taken their power into myself, transforming me into the most powerful unicorn in all of Equestria.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound ominous or anything,” Twilight replied, rolling her eyes.

“Do NOT mock me, Twilight Sparkle. That would not be wise.” The tone of Trixie’s voice changed. A deep echo formed behind her words, causing Twilight to hesitate. The eyes on the blue unicorn took on a light of their own, glowing with internal power as she spoke.

“Wh-what do you want with me? Why am I here? And where is here, anyway?” Twilight looked around, trying to find a familiar landmark. All she could see was broken stone and an empty room. Something about it seemed vaguely familiar.

“You sound afraid, Twilight. There is no need to fear Trixie. I am not a monster, unlike some powerful beings in this land. I simply wanted to bring you here so that you could see me in my new form. So that you could understand that Trixie is now--without a doubt--better than you.”

Twilight blinked.

“Seriously? You kidnapped me out of my own house so that you could bring me here to feed your ego? I have ponies over at my house trying to help me out with something, and they are probably worried sick about me right now. One of them is your marefriend!”

“Do not speak of Rarity. I don’t want you mentioning her to me,” Trixie snarled.

“Why not? I’ve known her longer than you. She’s one of my best friends,” Twilight retorted, somewhat annoyed.

“Because I love her!” Trixie shouted. “And this is not something for her to see.”

“What isn’t? What don’t you want her to see?”

Trixie walked slowly around the room, silently. When she spoke again her voice was calm and level. “I am ready to let you go, Twilight Sparkle. You only have to do one simple thing: admit that Trixie is better than you.”

“That’s really what this is about?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Fine. You’re better than me. Can I go now?”

“It’s not that easy!” Trixie’s voice filled the room. “It’s not about you saying it. It’s about you believing it. I want you to admit it not to Trixie, but to yourself. And then you are free. Say that Trixie is better than you.”

She looked up into the eyes of the other unicorn, taking her measure. A power glowed behind Trixie’s eyes in a way that Twilight hadn’t seen before. It was as though it was desperately seeking a way out, trying to find an avenue of release.

“I can’t.” Twilight hung her head. “You are very powerful, Trixie, but you aren’t better than me.”

The room took on a blue glow as Trixie’s temper swelled. 

“What?! You mean to tell me that you do not believe that I am greater than you? That Trixie isn’t the most powerful unicorn in Equestria?”

“That’s not what you asked me to say. You wanted me to admit that you were better than me. You aren’t,” Twilight answered, her head still lowered. “You aren’t better than anypony. Not now.”

“Trixie is better than you! Trixie could prove it right now! I could drive off a true ursa major--not a minor like you did. I could summon up the most powerful of storms to strike you down! I could break your body under the weight I could levitate above you!” Her teeth gnashed as she spoke. “And I could prove that I was a better lover than you!”

“What?” Twilight raised her head. “A better lover?”

“Yes! Trixie is the most skilled lover in all of Equestria. How you were able to outlast her is unfathomable. I could take you right now and make you my sexual plaything and you would be begging for more.”

The blue eyes of the unicorn dropped a shade in color as she spoke. 

“It would be nothing for me to bend you to my will. I could bring you to so many orgasms that you would lose your sanity, begging only to be in my presence so that I would continue to pleasure you. I could break you, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Does this have anything to do with that night with the princesses?” Twilight asked.

“Of course it does!” Her voice took on a deeper echo. “You outlasted Trixie. I am better than you! I have to be, or else she might not love me! As long as you are better than me, she might see you as a superior choice. I could lose her!”

“She?” A light dawned in Twilight’s mind. “Trixie, Rarity doesn’t love me. Not like that. We’re just friends.”

“DO NOT SPEAK HER NAME!” Her voice was strong enough to cause Twilight to pause. “Trixie was used by you and your princesses. Forced to do things that she did not agree to be a part of, and then I was humiliated by you. You should have orgasmed first!”

“And what are you doing now?” Twilight asked. “Do you think I want to be here? You’re making me do things that I don’t want to do, too. That’s why you aren’t better than me. You’re using me to feed your own ego, and that’s not something I call better.”

The words struck Trixie stronger than a physical blow could have. She staggered back, reeling. The color of her eyes returned to normal and when she spoke next her voice seemed more like her own once more.

“This isn’t the same,” she spoke, trying to convince everypony in the room. “Trixie does not force herself on others. I am simply trying to prove a point. Make you realize the truth.”

“Maybe you should take a turn with the truth yourself, first,” Twilight retorted.

Spinning her head towards the unicorn, Trixie’s expression lost much of its confidence. Her horn lit up, and a thick chain of silver appeared, one end attached to the collar around Twilight’s neck and the other imbedded in the floor of the room.

“I have to go think. Consider what is happening. Trixie...doesn’t do these things.”

She walked out of the room without a look back. Twilight pulled at the chain, knowing full well she wouldn’t have the strength to loosen it. She looked around the room, hoping to spy something to give her a means to escape. Something about this place was familiar. The only consolation was that she knew her friends would come looking for her soon. Hopefully, it would be soon enough.

* * * * *

Celestia sat in her room, staring out at the night sky. For another night, she was forced to raise the moon and stars. Luna was still nowhere to be seen.

She had inquired about her sister, asking if any of the guards had seen her anywhere near the castle. It had been over a full day since she had seen her. The last guard to report anything about her saw her and Trixie wandering the halls, speaking to each other late last night.

“Where are you, Luna?” she asked aloud. Her voice was heavy, filled with sorrow.

The day had taken far too long for Celestia. Keeping her smile through court, she mindlessly rendered decisions and dictated law. And then at the end of the day she excused herself and rushed to the dinner table, anxiously awaiting her sister’s arrival. She waited well past the time that she would normally lower the sun, hoping that Luna was running late. She waited. The food sat on her plate, uneaten. Without Luna there, she didn’t want it. She needed to hear Luna’s voice. To know that she was forgiven and that they could be together once again.

“The night is cold,” she said. “Too cold, in fact. This moon reminds me too much of Luna. Perhaps I will raise the sun instead. Provide the warmth and love that I desire.”

A noise from the hallway interrupted her chain of thought, and Celestia wheeled her head around looking for the source.

“Tia....” A familiar voice said very weakly.

“Luna?!” The sun goddess’ voice instantly became a thing of joy, the smile in her eyes lighting the room. “Luna, is that you?”

Celestia bolted from the window, flying towards the doorway where she heard her sister’s voice. 

“I have been so worried about you, Luna. I’m so sorry. I want to apologize for upsetting you. For everything that I did. I was a foal. There is nothing that you could ever do that would...”

She stopped. Celestia’s hooves touched the ground once more as her sister stepped out of the darkness of the hallway and into the light of the room. She looked odd. As though something had happened to her. Her body seemed slightly more lean and the shadows on her face appeared deeper.

“Luna?” Celestia walked slowly up to her sister.

“Tia, I think...” she was staggering, barely able to speak, “...I think that I may have made a horrible mistake.”

Luna collapsed to the floor, motionless.



...to be continued
> Chapter Four
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Who Rules?: The Ascended
by Nom deCheval



Chapter Four


She was running at a full gallop. There weren’t many ponies in all of Equestria that could match her speed, let alone her endurance. Other ponies watched her run past them, doing their best to move out of her way, as they knew how determined she could be when her mind was set. She was making a bee line through the town, heading to the small library on the outskirts. The mare ran into the Ponyville library, her breath panting hard from exertion. “Well, she ain’t nowhere here in town from what I can tell,” Applejack stated.

“Yeah, and I didn’t see her, either, from my flyby,” Rainbow Dash added. She had arrived moments before Applejack. “I circled the whole town twice, just to be sure.”

“So, no pony knows where Twilight is, then?” Fluttershy asked. 

“Not at the moment, sugarcube, but we ain’t licked yet. We’ll figure out where she ended up and git to the bottom o’ this, I promise,” she tried to reassure her friend.

“Pinkie Pie, is there anything that you can do?” Rarity asked her friend.

“Well sure! There’s all kinds of things that I can do. I’m really good at throwing parties. And I’m pretty good at singing--I even make up my own songs. Catchy ones! And I’m really good at baking things--at least, most of the time--and--”

“No, darling,” Rarity interrupted, “I meant is there anything that you can do to help find Twilight?”

“Sure! But most of it involves doing what Applejack did, only not as fast,” she explained.

Rarity let out a deep sigh. “Pinkie, please do try to stay with me on this. We are trying to locate Twilight. She disappeared from the house a few hours ago. She has been acting strange for the past few weeks we have discovered, and we are worried that something very bad might have happened to her. Zecora is here because she saw a vision of Twilight being involved in a matter of utmost importance to the fate of Equestria.”

“Yep! I remember all of that,” Pinkie said with a smile.

“Excellent. Now, you have all of these amazing abilities that no pony else possesses. Is there anything that you can do with them to help us locate Twilight?” Rarity asked, trying to remain calm.

“I dunno,” she answered with a smile.

“You...don’t know?” Rarity’s patience was running thin.

“Nope! I don’t really have any control over that sort of thing. It just kinda happens. So, I might be able to do it, but I might not. Just depends on what happens, I guess.” Pinkie’s smile only pushed Rarity’s aggravation.

“Pinkie! How can you be smiling at a time like this? We don’t know what happened to poor Twilight,” she said, her frustration breaking through.

“Well, no. But that doesn’t mean something bad happened. Something good might have happened, too. Once we find her we should be able to figure out which one really happened.”

“GAH!” Rainbow Dash finally had enough, screaming inside the library. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. We need to get out there and start looking for her.”

“Well, that’s a right plum idea, Dash, but we ain’t got no idea where to start lookin’ fer her yet,” Applejack stated.

“Um, well, maybe Zecora knows?” Fluttershy suggested.

“What about it, Zecora? You havin’ any luck yet?” Applejack asked.

“My brew is looking for her now,
If I can find her, I will somehow.
I have made a connection with the mare
And that might tell me what and where.
But time I must have to finish this task,
Whoever did this hides behind a mask.” 

“Well, ah guess that’s as good as you can do. Ah guess,” Applejack said.

“Wait a second, you said ‘whoever,’” Rainbow Dash commented. “Does that mean you think she was ponynapped?”

Zecora shook her head, uncertain with her answer.

“Such a statement I cannot make,
It isn’t clear if to her a pony did take.
But her presence is clouded, hidden from view,
And that is being done by another, but who?”

“Well, whoever it is, they better be ready to get their tail kicked!” Rainbow Dash added.

“Well, wait,” Pinkie cut in, “you said ‘clouded,’ Zecora. That means it has to be a pegasus, right?”

“Uh, not exactly, Pinkie. That’s just a figger’ of expression,” Applejack explained.

“Oh. Then what do the clouds have to do with it?” she asked, still confused.

“Um, who could do that to Twilight? I mean, she’s really good with magic, so wouldn’t the other pony have to be as good or maybe better?” Everyone turned to look at Fluttershy. “Or not....”

“Nah, that’s a good point, sugarcube. Maybe she’s gone to visit the princess again. She’d be able to do mystic-sense-blockin’ thing, ah reckon.”

Rarity stood there, silent. Her mind traveling back to the last time she saw Twilight as she walked down into her basement. And the one thing that drew her attention after that. She thought she heard a familiar voice. Trixie’s voice. But her marefriend didn’t have that kind of power--did she?

“Uh, ladies?” Spike walked into the room, holding a scroll in his claw. “You might want to hear this....”

* * * * *

Celestia looked down at her sister, her face twisted in a mix of emotion. She levitated up the cloth from the basin of water, wrung it out, and placed it gently on Luna’s forehead. 

The moment that Luna collapsed, Celestia panicked. Screaming for her guards, she ordered them to summon the royal physician to meet her in her quarters and then personally carried her sister all the way there. 

It was possible that she was a bit harsh on the physician. She berated him the entire time that he was examining Luna, and it was possible that she threatened him at one point--it was hard for her to remember. What was important was Luna’s health, and the doctor had said that Luna was exhausted but not injured. She would be fine.

So why did Celestia feel so uneasy?

“Tia?” A weak voice called up to her, snapping her attention back to the moment.

“Luna!” She moved closer to her sister, her eyes darting back and forth, looking over her face as the night goddess’ eyelids slowly raised to look into the face of the sun. “I’m right here, Luna. Everything is all right. Don’t worry, I’m taking care of you.”

“Wh-what time is it?” she asked, softly.

“It’s night. Just after eight, I think. Don’t worry about it. I took care of the moon for you.”

“That doesn’t matter.” She moved, raising herself up to a sitting position. “We have to go and locate Trixie. We need to find her now.”

“Trixie?” Celestia sounded confused for a moment, and then her eyes narrowed, flame dancing across them. “Did she do this to you? Did she hurt you?!”

“NO! No, not exactly,” Luna answered in the other pony’s defense. “I actually did something to her. More than once, actually. And now she’s in terrible danger, and I need to find her before it’s too late.”

“Danger? From what?”

“She...” Luna sat there for a moment, the words eluding her. “We were in the diamond chamber. She has the boots.”

“You went there?!” Celestia’s gasped. “Luna, you know you can’t do that. You know how dangerous that place is for you.”

“Yes, I do know how dangerous that place is! That’s what I was telling you!” Luna’s strength was returning quickly. “You should never have gone there, Tia. I was down there trying to protect you.”

Celestia’s gaze lowered. “You shouldn’t have gone there without me.”

“And I could say the same thing, sister. But we’re both here and we have each other now. Trixie is alone.”

Looking back up, Celestia’s eyes were filled with concern. “You collapsed when you came back, Luna. You said something about making a mistake. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Tia. Trixie and I had an...encounter. The mistake was going down there in the first place.”

I’m hurt. I wouldn’t think that you would be calling me a mistake,  Nightmare Moon whispered in Luna’s mind.  You don’t seem to like me being back. You haven’t mentioned me once. 

Luna forced a smile hearing the words inside her head, keeping things hidden from her sister.

“Do you know where Trixie has gone?” Celestia asked.

“No, but I have some suspicions,” she replied.

“Well, we won’t be doing anything until you have rested some more,” Celestia stated. “I’m not taking any chances with you.”

“I’m fine, Tia.” Luna stood up, arching her back to stretch out. Celestia thought she looked a little taller than normal. “I was taken off guard, but I have recovered.”

 You’re welcome,  the voice stated. 

“No. No, I’m not going to let you leave the castle just yet. You need more rest bef--”

“We don’t have the time!” Luna cut her sister off, purple fire rising from her horn as she spoke. “You have to do what I am telling you, Tia. This is a matter of safety for all of Equestria.”

 Yes! Send her to her knees! Make her kiss our hooves! You promised me!  
Nightmare Moon whispered.

“Do NOT lecture me on the safety of Equestria,” Celestia’s said in a voice that burned with resentment, her eyes flaring with passion. “It was I who ruled this land for a thousand years, not you.”

Luna stepped closer to her sister, darkness falling over her face. “Only because you sent us to the moon, letting you take our power for yourself!”

The two goddesses stood inches from each other, their faces twisted up in a grimace of righteousness. An air of power passed between them, creating a palpable sensation of electricity in the room. Then, suddenly, Celestia’s expression dropped, her eyes softening.

“Luna. I-I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” She stepped back, putting more space between them. “I’ve been so very stressed lately. I don’t understand. Forgive me.”

Luna stepped back as well, her jaw opening in shock. “And forgive me, sister. I’m just so worried about Trixie. About what I did to her, that....”

There was a long pause as the two thought about the next moment. They looked at each other with more uncertainty than they had shared in over a millennium. It was Celestia who broke the silence.

“You said you have an idea where Trixie may have gone. Where?”

Luna nodded. “She’s angry, Tia. I hurt her badly. And she wants to share her pain with others. I fear that she has gone after Twilight.”

Celestia’s face froze. Her lips tightened and slowly she began to nod. Luna could see all of her sister’s muscles tense as she turned and took a few steps. “Well, then I will compose a note and send it to her right away, warning her. If you will excuse me, I’m going to my library to compose it. You might want to freshen up and join me.” 

Though her voice was even, there was none of the calm, nurturing tone that normally accompanied it. It was cold and unfeeling. Luna wanted to stop her. Say something and apologize, but nothing came out. Celestia exited the room without another sound.

 I think that she’s upset,  Nighmare Moon said.

Luna turned and raced to the mirror that sat near her sister’s dresser. She glared into it, staring at the figure of Nightmare Moon who stared back, calmly smiling.

“I am in command of our body, you witch. Remember that,” she spat out.

 But, Luna, I haven’t done anything. I’m just along for the ride. You made that clear when I freed you from your bindings before.  Her voice was soothing and seductive, just as it was in the diamond chamber.

“Only because you weren’t expecting me to be as strong as I am. As soon as we find and free Trixie, I will rid myself of you permanently.”

 Oh, I hope not. I am still looking forward to the promised moment of passion that we are going to share with Celestia. She is a fiery mare. I can’t believe that I never noticed that before,  Nightmare Moon stated.  Oh, but maybe that’s because I didn’t have our unique perspective before now. 

Luna pulled back her head, looking at the smiling face in the mirror. “I will not let you harm Celestia.”

 Yes, you’ve already said that.  She rolled her eyes in mock annoyance.  I just want to know why you haven’t told her about us? Are you ashamed, Luna?  

“In a way, yes,” she answered, pacing back and forth, keeping her eyes focused on the mirror. “I am ashamed of my weakness. But what’s more, I don’t want her to become overly concerned because of my mistake. She is already stressed enough.”

Nightmare Moon smiled.  I have a solution to that. We could take over for her. Rule Equestria the way it should be ruled. The way that it should have been ruled for the past thousand years, if it wasn’t for that cowardly whorse. 

“You will NOT speak of Celestia that way!” Luna hissed at the mirror.

 Oh, but I will. I will call her that and much, much worse. You are in control for now, Luna, but for how long? I am back, my love, and there is nothing that you can do about it.  

“I told you never to call me that,” Luna’s voice cracked.

 That’s right. Only Celestia can call you that. But what will she call you when she finds out that we are one again? I know what I’m hoping to hear,  Nightmare Moon giggled.

“Stop laughing,” Luna said through clenched teeth. The sound moved from a giggle to a full laugh at her words. “I said STOP LAUGHING!” Her hoof struck the mirror, shattering it into a thousand shards of glass. As they rained down on the floor, the laughter stopped, replaced by the sound of destruction. 

* * * * *

Celestia sat calmly down at the desk in her personal library. Everything was laid out in perfect order, with her pens, ink, and parchment all properly placed. She took a deep breath, exhaled, and looked down at the desk with a pleasant smile.

Her horn coming to life, she levitated the pen into the ink and began to scribe a note out onto the clean paper.

 My Faithful Student,

It has come to my attention that you may be in danger. There is a chance that through some rather unfortunate events that have occurred here at the castle, Princess Luna’s student, Trixie--with whom I know you are already familiar--may be coming to have an interaction with you.

It is my belief that Trixie is no longer of sound mind, and is to be considered extremely dangerous. I want to apologize for not letting you know about this sooner, but I was just informed of the situation myself and have rushed this message to you without further delay.

Having given this matter a great deal of thought, it is my opinion that... 

* * * * *

“...you must protect yourself at all costs. Therefore I am granting you special rights to...to...” Spike stopped talking, his voice caught on the next word.

“What is it, Spike? What does it say?” Rarity asked in a hushed voice.

He looked up at the white unicorn, a deep sadness on his face. “...I am granting you special rights to use extreme force to capture Trixie the next time you see her, as I believe it is in the best interest of Equestria as a whole. Leave the final judgment to me. Be warned that she has grown in power and is to be considered very dangerous. I would prefer her alive, but your safety must come first. I’m sure that you will understand and reply to this message immediately so that I know you have received it. Signed, Princess Celestia.”

No pony said a word. They were all staring at Spike, who was still staring at Rarity.

“Did...did Princess Celestia jus’ send Twilight a message ta kill another pony?” Applejack asked.

“She said capture, not kill,” Rarity answered quickly. “Let me see that, Spike.” She tore the scroll from him before he could answer.

“That sounded a little harsh for the princess,” Rainbow Dash commented. “I mean, there’s hardcore and then there’s way too freakin’ hardcore.”

“Um, you...you don’t suppose that Trixie already...” Fluttershy was looking around carefully, shrinking into the background as best she could. 

“I do.” Rarity raised her head up from the scroll, looking out at her friends. “I need to tell all of you something. And Spike, I believe you will need to take a letter to send to Princess Celestia.”

* * * * *

The stone was cold and uncomfortable, made worse by the heavy collar and chain that went around her neck and bound her to the floor. It wasn’t as though Twilight was going to sleep, but Trixie didn’t know that, and she had left her alone for approximately four-point-three-six-two hours so far. With no magic and nothing else to do, counting the minutes had become a means to pass the time. Fortunately, she wasn’t going to have to wait any longer.

“Greetings, Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie said as she entered the room. “I have decided that our conversation earlier did not have the proper scope to it. I want you to walk with me.”

“Um, okay. Where are we going?” Twilight responded.

“Do not ask Trixie questions, unless you are given permission to do so.” The chain that bound Twilight to the floor rose up, the end freeing itself from the stone and floating over near Trixie. “I want to explain a few things to you so that you understand what is happening.”

Trixie moved to walk from the room, pulling the chain and the unicorn attached to it along with her. Twilight’s head jerked at the sudden, odd sensation, but she quickly fell in tow, allowing just a touch of slack as she walked.

“Trixie, this is ridiculous. Take this chain and collar off of me and let’s talk rationally.”

The blue unicorn laughed. “Oh, no. No, I don’t think so. If I let you run free, you will talk for a moment, and then teleport yourself away to go get your precious princesses and poison Rarity’s mind. I can’t let that happen.”

“You said you were going to let me go free,” Twilight said.

She looked up as they walked, trying to identify this place. There was something familiar to the layout that she still couldn’t quite place.

“I said I would free you when you admitted my superiority. You haven’t done that, and you said you weren’t going to, which puts us in an odd situation,” Trixie explained, leading the other unicorn on a leash. 

“What about the fact that you don’t force ponies to do things?” Twilight asked, scanning the area for a means to escape.

“I have considered this. Trixie is not forcing you to do anything. You are choosing your own fate. If you did what I asked, then you would not be in this position. You are choosing to be here by denying yourself the truth. I need to enlighten you. Therefore, it is not something that I would not do,” Trixie sounded practiced in her response.

“Well, that was perfectly circular. But at least you justified to yourself what you’re doing,” Twilight mumbled. “Trixie, don’t you think that you might be acting a bit unusual? That maybe whatever those shoes have done to you might be messing with your mind a little bit?”

“I am in complete control, Twilight Sparkle. Isn’t the chain enough proof of that?” As though to prove her point, Trixie gave the leash a tug, jerking the pony forward slightly. 

A grunting sound came out of Twilight as she stumbled slightly. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I may not know you too well, Trixie, but I do know that you aren’t like this.”

“I am exactly like this,” Trixie answered. “Trixie is always in control. I do not sub to anyone. And soon, Trixie will be in control of everyone. All of Equestria will be under my hoof.”

“What? You went from wanting me to feed your ego to wanting to rule the country in just over four hours? Now I know that something is wrong with you.”

Pulling her forward, Trixie led Twilight into a new room. A large room with broken windows and shattered stone. A room that was very familiar to the unicorn.

“Wait a second! I know where we are. This is the Castle of Two Sisters in the Everfree Forest. This is where I fought Nightmare Moon.” Twilight looked around and saw the addition of a large throne on the raised dais on one end of the chamber. 

“Yes, I found myself drawn here,” Trixie stated. “It seems like an excellent place to begin my rule.”

“Okay, now I know I’m right. Trixie, you’ve got to get rid of those shoes. They’re messing with your mind. Making you think and do things you wouldn’t normally do,” Twilight spoke gently, but directly. “They’re trying to turn you into another Nightmare Moon.”

“I am no nightmare, Twilight Sparkle,” Trixie said, walking up to the throne. “I am an ideal. A perfection that others may only hope to achieve. Like yourself. In fact, you are going to be my first messenger to the rest of the world. A disciple of The All-Powerful Trixie.”

Twilight’s eyes grew wide. “This is what Zecora was talking about. The fate of the world.”

“What are you going on about, Twilight?” Trixie asked.

“Trixie, please. Don’t do this. Remember yourself. Remember that you aren’t like this. That you don’t make other ponies do things they don’t want to do.”

“And I won’t make you do anything, Twilight Sparkle.” Trixie’s voice echoed through the room. “I will wait until you have come to the proper decision. I have plenty of time.”

There was a finality to Trixie’s words, and Twilight knew that the point of discussion had passed. “Princess, I wish you could hear me. I don’t know what to do. I need you.” 

Twilight closed her eyes just as the golden glow began to shine from them.

* * * * *

The table slammed into the wall, shattering into a hundred of shards of wood, littering the floor. A chair followed it almost immediately, as did a scream of frustration. Luna stayed back, letting her sister vent her anger. Watching carefully.

“We were too late,” Celestia said through clenched teeth. “The witch already has her.”

The scroll that had appeared minutes ago rested on the floor. The table that originally held it was no longer capable of holding anything.

“Calm yourself, sister,” Luna urged. “We do not know the exact fate of Twilight Sparkle. She may or may not have been taken by Trixie. The letter from Rarity was merely a supposition.”

The sun goddess turned towards her sister, her eyes glowing red. “Suppostion? You know as well as I do that she did it. That horrible little beast has taken her just to strike at me.”

“At you?” Luna bristled. “We think you are overstepping yourself. Trixie has her own goals that go far beyond you, sister.”

“Nothing is beyond me!” Celestia shouted.

“THIS IS!” Luna shouted back.

 Yes! Yes, strike her down,  Nightmare Moon whisper to Luna.  We have the strength. You see how weak she is. Do it! 

“How dare you?!” Celestia stepped up to her sister. “Are you questioning my authority?”

It took every ounce of strength for Luna to respond. “No. No, of course not, Tia. But you are blinded by what is happening. I’m just asking you to calm down and think rationally. We have to find where Twilight is, still, no matter what has happened.”

“I will destroy her, Luna. If she has harmed Twilight, I will make her suffer,” she responded grimly. 

“She is my student, Celestia. I will deal with her,” Luna answered firmly.

“But she has taken MY student!”

“Would you listen to me for a moment?” Luna raised her voice again.

 Perfect. This is the ideal time. Let us crush her,  Nightmare Moon urged.

“SHUT! UP!” Luna screamed.

There was a deafening silence as Luna met her sister’s eyes. 

“What did you just say to me?” Celestia asked slowly.

“Tia, I...” She was at a loss for words. Tears welled up in her eyes as she sought to find a way to explain the situation. Fortunately, she didn’t have to.

 Princess...I need you. 

“Twilight?” Celestia’s voice softened instantly. 

“Tia? Are you all right?” Luna reached out towards her sister.

“I heard her, Luna. I heard Twilight’s voice.”

“What? How?”

“I don’t know.” She looked at Luna and smiled. “But I know where she is.”

* * * * *

The Everfree Forest holds an atmosphere of unease for every pony in Equestria. Even the goddesses that rule the land. Their presence felt unnatural to them and to the land surrounding them. Even though they once called the castle before them home.

“You’re sure she’s here?” Luna asked.

“Positive,” Celestia confirmed. “She is in our old castle.”

“It makes sense, I suppose. This is where I made my stand against you.” Luna’s thoughts raced back to that moment a thousand years prior, reliving it in her mind.

“No, not you,” Celestia clarified. “Nightmare Moon.”

“Yes. Yes, that’s what I meant,” she stammered out her response, somewhat unsure why she had phrased it that way.

 What a shame that you won’t tell your sister the truth,  Nightmare Moon added.  I’m sure she would be so happy to know that you and I are reunited. 

“Celestia, I need to go in there alone.” Luna turned and faced her sister, holding her head high with confidence.

“What? That’s insane. I am going in there and freeing Twilight and dealing with this upstart unicorn. There is no discussion.” Celestia’s wing flew up casually, as though buffeting her sister’s suggestion to one side.

“No, Tia, it isn’t that simple. I created this problem. It was me who put Trixie on this path, and I need the chance to redeem myself. Please, you have to understand that.” Luna stepped up and raised her hoof up to her sister’s face, touching it lightly. “I have to make things right.”

Celestia smiled at Luna’s touch. Her own hoof came up and pressed her sister’s hoof closer to her cheek. “Are you sure, Luna? She was able to subdue you before from what you’ve told me.”

“She took me unaware. And she had the benefit of a magical item that I gave her. I am not worried about Trixie.”

A deep breath went into Celestia’s lungs with some drama before she answered. “Very well. I will give you half-an-hour, but after that time I will be coming inside.”

“Thank you.” Luna smiled and stared into Celestia’s eyes. She brought her head forward, and gently placed a kiss on the mare’s lips. “I love you, Tia. You know that, don’t you?”

“I know. And I love you,” she said with a smile. “Forgive my attitude lately. I’ve been feeling odd.”

“I know,” Luna answered, forcing a smile.

“Be safe. I will see you soon,” Celestia told her.

Without another word, Luna turned and entered the ruins of her old castle. Every step seemed familiar to her, the layout of the building sitting with her like an old friend. The dust, decay, and debris kept her mind firmly in the present as she searched for her quarry.

 Ah, what a shame. This place once held such grandeur. The most regal place in all the land. Though I suppose we will have plenty of time to return it to glory after we have ascended to the throne,  Nightmare Moon commented to Luna.

“Speak all you want, demon, but this ruin is a reflection of your true power. You are a broken husk, and soon I shall be free of you again. This time forever.” She walked forward, head held high.

 Will you now? Have you not realized the truth yet? I pity you, poor, poor Luna,  she said condescendingly.

“What are you talking about?” Luna responded.

 The truth, of course. It’s like us wandering through these halls once more. We are home. We are who we were always meant to be. Or did you really think that I lived inside an old helmet? 

Luna stopped in mid-step. “You did. I saw it.”

 You saw what you wanted to see. What made you feel comfortable. And this nonsense that I am a separate being. These distinct personalities that you have created. It’s really quite amusing. 

“I am not you. You are separate from me,” Luna insisted.

 Of course I am. I’m a monster that lives inside a helmet and not your true personality that you have beaten back into remission. That makes so much more sense. We’ll go with that. 

Luna began walking once more, heading forward with a purpose. “You are a liar. You are the queen of lies. After I have saved Trixie and Twilight I will rid myself of you forever.”

 If you say so. I’ll just wait here until you change your mind.  The laughter echoing inside Luna’s head made her wince.

She walked forward, knowing full well where the corridor took her. She stepped into the throne room and looked across at the ponies waiting for her. The dim light of the moon shone through broken windows and into the room, providing a silver-blue glow to setting, enhancing the color of the pony staring back across the room.

“Luna! I can honestly say that I wasn’t expecting to see you. At least not for several more years.” Trixie sat on a throne of granite, a chain leading from her right hoof to the neck of Twilight Sparkle who laid at her hooves. Her voice echoed across the walls of the room.

Twilight’s eyes were huge with hope. At the same time, she was concerned for the newly arrived alicorn. “Princess Luna, be careful, Trixie has--”

“Don’t worry, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said as she stepped across the room. “I know exactly what has happened to Trixie. Do not be concerned about her.”

“And what brings you to Trixie’s new home? Have you come to challenge me?” she asked.

“No. Nothing of the sort, actually. We have come to speak with you, though,” Luna replied.

“What makes you think that I want to speak to you?” Trixie rose up on the throne, gaining more height to look down on the approaching princess.

“Are you unharmed, Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked, ignoring the other unicorn for the moment.

“I’m fine, princess. I really don’t think that Trixie is wanting to hurt me,” she stated.

“Not yet, anyway. That’s a good sign.” Luna shifted her gaze back to Trixie, who looked down her muzzle at the mare. “Trixie, free Twilight Sparkle. This isn’t about her. I’m here now. Deal with me directly.”

“Oh, but it is about Twilight Sparkle. She thought she could best me. That she could steal what was mine. But Trixie will not let that happen!”

Twilight twisted her head around to look up at the cerulean unicorn. “No I didn’t, Trixie. We’ve been over this.”

“It’s no use arguing, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna stated. “She isn’t in control of herself at the moment. Her inner demons are ruling her right now.”

“Trixie is in TOTAL control!” The mare gave a tug on the chain holding Twilight to emphasize her point. “Perhaps you should remember that, princess.”

“Yes, of course. I understand, Trixie,” Luna stopped just short of the throne, her eyes moved from Trixie to Twilight and back again. “I remember exactly what you are talking about. Far too well, actually.”

“Excellent! Well then, tell Trixie princess: why are you here? If not for revenge, then what?”

“To apologize,” Luna stated bluntly.

Trixie paused, and Twilight cocked her head to the side, analyzing the princess’ words. 

“Apologize? For what?” Trixie asked.

“For everything. For not thinking when we challenged our sister to a contest. For overstepping our bounds on that night we four shared intimately. For putting too much pressure on you at the diamond cavern. We want to apologize for letting our newfound self rule our passions without wisdom, and for the pain that it has obviously caused you. It is our fault that you are in the state you are now, and we want to correct that.”

Trixie sat there, indefinite thoughts playing across her face. If there were words coming out, they were inaudible to anypony.

“Trixie?” Twilight began. “We aren’t mad at you. We want to help.”

“Yes, indeed. We wish to make things right. Will you accept our apology?”

Trixie lowered her head, the shadows of the night hiding it from clear view. The voice that came out had no echo at all. “No. Trixie denies your apology,” she raised up her head, her eyes burning with a blue glow, “at least not until you have made reparations.”

“What can we do, Trixie? You have but to ask,” Luna stated.

“Trixie wants to see you demeaned. I want to see you used just as you did to me,” she stated with a snarl.

She took a deep breath before she answered, but Luna finally replied very clearly. “I agree. You may use me as you see fit.”

“Princess, no!” Twilight gasped.

“And that reminds me,” Trixie turned towards Twilight Sparkle, “you have yet to make amends for your actions. I think you should join in.”

“Amends? I didn’t do anything!” Twilight protested.

“I must agree, Trixie,” Luna stated forcefully. “Twilight is innocent. Leave her out of our matters.”

“She is far from innocent! Trixie’s involvement that night centered on Twilight Sparkle. From our battle to being forced to service her to her humiliating me, she was as deeply involved as you were, princess!”

“No! I was the one that forced you to participate! I was the one who--”

“She’s right,” Twilight interrupted softly. Luna jerked her head around in surprise to look at the unicorn. “She’s right. If it wasn’t for my actions she wouldn’t have been there. You and princess Celestia both said that you were surprised that we fought and that I was there with her that night. I was involved.” Twilight turned to look at Trixie. “I do owe you an apology.”

A smile crept over Trixie’s mouth. “Excellent. Then you are willing to share your apology with Luna?”

“I am,” she answered.

“Twilight, no!” Luna whispered loudly. “What you are saying is dangerous. I do not want you hurt.”

“I trust you, princess,” Twilight responded. “And I’m just as worried about Trixie right now, anyway.”

“Do not be concerned with Trixie. She will not harm you. I will not let her,” Luna said.

“Just as prideful as ever, eh, Luna?” Trixie responded.

Shifting her eyes to look up at the unicorn, a midnight glow appeared inside them. “And you still forget who you are talking to at times.”

“So much for your fealty for the evening, eh?” Trixie sneered. 

Opening her mouth, Luna paused just before any words escaped. A reconsidered moment later, she spoke, “No. No, you are right. Our apologies.”

“Hmmmm. If you are so anxious to apologize, prove it. Kiss my hoof.” Trixie raised her right forehoof up and extended it forward, pointed towards the night princess. 

Twisting her face up, Luna stared at the hoof as though waiting for it to do something else--waiting to be given another option--but nothing presented itself. Through gritted teeth, she lowered her head down and placed her lips on the hoof of the unicorn.

“Very good,” Trixie’s voice was rich with satisfaction. “Now, Twilight, kiss the hoof of Princess Luna.”

“What?” Twilight said in surprise. “But I thought that--”

“You are not supposed to be thinking. Right now you will do what Trixie tells you to do. And I want you to kiss Luna’s hoof.” Trixie turned and addressed the midnight alicorn. “Luna, order her to kiss your hoof.”

Her jaw still clenched as she stared at Trixie, Luna turned back to Twilight and gave her command. “Kiss my hoof, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Princess, are you sure?” Twilight asked.

“You will address me as Mistress, Twilight. Is that clear?” Luna raised her head up and looked down at the smaller unicorn.

Twilight’s heart skipped a beat. It had been months since she had seen Luna using that demeanor, but its effect on her was still powerful. Luna was still as intoxicatingly beautiful as ever, and just as seductive, even in this situation. “Y-yes, Mistress.”

The light of the moon brought out the natural colors on Luna’s shoes. As Twilight lowered her head towards them, she became enthralled with how powerful they made the princess’ legs and hooves appear. Her lips came into contact with the hoof, and an unbidden jolt of electricity shot through Twilight. Without a thought, her tongue came out and licked up and around the hoof, covering it completely.

“Excellent. Now we have an understanding. Twilight is beneath Luna, and Luna is beneath me,” Trixie said with an unnatural smile. Her eyes were twisting in the dim light, seemingly distorted somehow.

“And you have your hierarchy in place,” Luna stated. “Let Twilight go and I will stay with you.”

“No, not yet. Trixie is still wanting to see a full apology. But since I have no desire to betray my beloved, I will entertain myself by watching the two of you. Luna, I want you to take Twilight and use her for your pleasure.”

Luna saw the disturbing shapes changing in Trixie’s eyes. Her eyes were growing, the pupils changing shape. She realized that there wasn’t much time before she was past the point of no return. She had to act quickly to save her student.

“Twilight!” Luna turned to the unicorn, her voice sharp and demanding. “Doest thou really feel that thou art worthy of touching our hoof? That thine lowly form deserves to actually touch our royal body?”

“I-I was just...” Twilight wasn’t sure what to say, but her heart raced in an odd mixture of fear and excitement as the alicorn commanded her.

“Thou art beneath us. Thou art a peasant who should be worshipping our body, doest thou understand?”

“Y-yes, Mistress,” Twilight answered softly.

“Good. We were mildly pleased with thine adoration of our hoof. Thou may return to that.” Luna presented her right hoof in front of Twilight, holding it off the ground so that the unicorn had full access to all sides of it.

She brought her mouth down and kissed the hoof once more. Her lips danced over the surface of the hoof, brushing between the keratin and the hair above it, doing her best to cover the whole thing. As before, her tongue danced out instinctively licking along the front of the hoof as she moved from side to side. 

“Clean the bottom!” Luna commanded.

Obeying, Twilight moved her mouth down, licking under the hoof to reach the bottom. If there was any unpleasant taste or texture it didn’t register with Twilight. Her mind was so focused on pleasing Luna that she only thought about performing the action. 

For her part, Luna was conflicted. The sight of Twilight at her hoof, so eagerly and obediently performing her commands was intoxicating, and was having no small effect on her sexually. But the more pressing matter of rescuing Trixie and then freeing herself from the influence of Nightmare Moon kept her libido in check. 

The show was eliciting the desired effect in Trixie, as Luna spied the unicorn sliding her hoof down to gently stroke the inside of her thigh while watching Twilight’s performance.

“Enough!” Luna stated. “We are pleased with that, but feel that our shoes have lost their luster. We wish for thee to restore their shine with thine tongue.”

Twilight nodded quickly. “Yes, Mistress.” She went straight to her work, bringing her tongue up to begin polishing the silver-blue metal. In the cool of the night, the cold of the metal was both refreshing and exciting, adding a layer of electricity to the moment. 

Her administrations were enthusiastic to say the least, and Twilight was soon covering old ground on the metallic shoes. From the corner of her eye, Luna saw that Trixie’s hoof had moved from her thigh to her marehood, stroking the outside of it with interest. 

“That’s better, slave,” Luna sneared, keeping up appearances. “Now that thou has it polished, thou may use that hoof to pleasure thineself.”

“What?” Twilight looked up at her, confused.

Luna wasted no time. She didn’t want Trixie to be drawn out of the moment.

“Do we have to do everything?!” Luna shouted disdainfully. “Turn around. Face down, plot in the air!”

As Twilight obediently spun around, her eyes danced about, somewhat nervous about the outcome of this action. As soon as Twilight was settled, Luna brought the freshly cleaned shoe up between the mare’s legs, pushing the cool metal against her damp slit.

A gasp of surprise and excitement jumped from Twilight’s lungs, causing Luna to smile in spite of the seriousness of the situation.

“We are pleased to see that thine homage to our hoof has excited thee,” Luna said. “Now pay attention, as we shall not instruct thee so kindly a second time.”

Luna began to move her hoof back and forth, putting pressure on Twilight’s pussy with the metal of her shoe. “You are to rub thineself on our shoe. Polishing it with your precious juices. It is not at a full shine until thou hast cum upon it. Doest thou understand?”

A groan was the only answer that came from Twilight, her mind unable to fully separate from her intensely stimulated marehood. Luna heard a similar groan come from Trixie nearby, but she didn’t turn to look directly, keeping her attention focused on the lavender unicorn.

“We asked thee nicely. Doest thou wish to make us angry?” Luna snarled.

“No. No, Mistress,” Twilight panted with Luna still moving her hoof back and forth across her slit. “I--I understand. I will do what you ask.”

“Excellent,” Luna moved her hoof away from Twilight’s pussy, a thin trail of fluid connecting the metal back to the mare. She placed it down firmly on the ground. “Now, get to work.”

Twilight glanced behind her, but only for a second, and moved herself until her cunt was once again touching the metal shoe. She began to move, thrusting herself up and down along the length of the object. 

 Lovely. We would prefer to see that be Celestia, though,  Nightmare Moon interrupted.  Though demeaning the pet that so rudely ruined our relationship is a nice step towards that. 

Luna concentrated on the pony at her hoof, ignoring the voice in her head. Twilight’s marehood was drenched, covering the shoe with a slick, viscous fluid. She let the pony do all the work, rubbing herself vigorously along the metal, her breathing becoming more and more shallow. Luna allowed herself a moment to glance at Trixie. The other unicorn was on her throne, her mouth open and her eyes closed to almost slits as she concentrated on Twilight’s actions. Trixie’s hoof was moving in small circles, rubbing on and around her clit, pushing her towards the edge. 

Twilight was lost in lust, pressing her cunt down onto Luna’s leg, thrusting against it, feeling the curve of her shoe spreading her lips just far enough for the metal to brush against her ragingly hard clitoris. She had all but forgotten the situation, her primal side taking over and pushing that information to the back of her mind, concerned only with cumming on the shoe and pleasing both herself and Luna.

“Remember, slave, when thou doest cum, thou art responsible for finishing the job, and cleaning off any excess polish that remains,” Luna explained. “With thine tongue, of course.”

A sudden series of short, quick breaths, followed by a deep moan told Luna that Trixie had just reached her climax. Seconds later, Twilight did the same thing, though in a more dramatic fashion.

“Oh godddesssssss!” Her thrusting increased, moving like lightning up and down Luna’s shoe, juices freely flowing and coating the metal with a glaze of pony cum. Luna stood there, staring down at her until her actions slowed down, signaling the end of her orgasm.

“Unbelievable!” Luna spat down. “Thou came upon our shoe without permission! You ungrateful little whelp!”

Luna took the same hoof that Twilight had just used to pleasure herself and pushed against the pony, sending her sprawling and crashing onto the floor. More importantly, she moved to place herself between Twilight and Trixie.

“I want her gone from here,” Luna said to Trixie. “She does not deserve to be in our presence. Such an impudent little pony.”

Trixie was still breathing hard, recovering from her own orgasm. “No,” she sighed, her voice somewhat weak. “No, I want her to stay until she admits that Trixie is better.”

The weakness of her voice was the sign she needed. Pressing the moment, Luna stepped forward, her horn coming to life with a deep blue glow. The aura moved to surround the shoes on Trixie’s hooves, trying to pull them from the slightly distracted mare in an attempt to end this quickly. As soon as she felt the slight tug upon them, Trixie’s eyes shot wide, her pupils now cat-like and the eyes themselves more almond shaped than before.

“NO!” A hollow voice screamed out as blue energy erupted from Trixie’s horn, slamming into Luna and sending her flying backwards. The path took her directly into Twilight, who was just regaining her own footing after being shoved away from the goddess. Luna twisted her body, trying to spare Twilight as much of the impact as possible, but the two of them went tumbling, rolling violently along the floor of the castle, the stone debris kicking up around them as they smashed down onto the floor a final time.

Landing directly at the hooves of Princess Celestia.

“Luna? Twilight?” The princess’ voice was full of compassion as she called to the two ponies that meant more to her than anypony else in Equestria. There was no reply other than the rise and fall of the ponies’ chests. 

Raising her head up slowly, she stared across the room at Trixie, who now stood in front of her throne, staring back defiantly at the sun goddess. 

“YOU. HURT. THEM.” Celestia’s voice lost all sense of kindness. All manner of grace. The words burned from her. 

She stepped forward, her hooves deliberate and precise with each step. After two steps wisps of fire began to appear around her eyes. With another step a splash of flame accompanied every hoof fall. And with another step the beautiful, flowing mane of the dawn erupted into a bonfire, dancing across her back and igniting her tail. Her figure grew as she walked, adding another head’s height to her impressive form. And then she stopped halfway to her destination, now fully transformed into a blazing monument to the sun. A terrifying figure of wrath.

“You will never hurt another pony again,” this new Celestia stated, her voice reverberating from the walls of the castle.

Trixie stood her ground--for a moment. The figure before her was so much more than she ever imagined that she reflexively took a step backwards before catching herself. Taking a deep breath, she thrust her chest out, standing before this flaming monster. “No. It is you who will never harm another,” she replied.

Luna stirred, recovering from the unexpected attack just in time to see these two beings confronting each other. “No,” she whispered in terror. “I’m too late.”

 Really? I think you’re just in time,  Nightmare Moon added.  And the sooner you realize that only together can we put this mare into place, the better. 

Twilight groaned, shaking her head as she came to. Luna looked at her instantly. “Wh-what happened?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight Sparkle!” Luna roused her, grabbing her shoulders and forcing the attention on her directly. “Listen to me. You must go and gather your friends. Collect the Elements of Harmony and return here as fast as you can. The fate of Equestria depends upon it! I will hold her as long as I can.”

“Huh?” Twilight tried to keep up, lost in the conversation. “You need me to get the Elements? Are you going to be safe around Trixie?”

“Twilight Sparkle,” Luna began, raising up to her full height, “I have told you twice already: do not be concerned with Trixie.”

A darkness fell over Luna, surrounding her, and then slowly it began to recede into her, staining her coat from deep blue to black. Her chest piece transformed, shifting to a shining silver armor, and a helmet seemed to grow onto her head, covering it in that same reflective metal. A smile spread across Luna’s face, showing a row of sharp teeth. And when her eyes opened, they were no longer those of a pony, but the long-pupiled scrutiny of a predator.

Nightmare Moon was returned.

“AT LAST!!” The voice was far too familiar to Twilight. “Celestia, you coward! Turn and face me if you dare!”

The flame-covered version of the princess turned and saw her rival standing mere yards away. “YOU!” Her yell seemed capable of shattering the walls by itself. “I should have destroyed you a millennia ago!”

The air bristled with unrestrained power.

“Eeek,” Twilight let out as she teleported away in an instant.

* * * * *

Rainbow Dash hovered in the middle of the Ponyville library with her forelegs crossed, tapping her hoof rapidly in the air. If there was anything beneath it, the sound would have driven the other ponies in the room insane. As it was, that was Pinkie Pie’s job.

“I spy with my little eye, something beginning with the letterrrrrr...B!” Pinkie proudly stated.

The other six ponies in the room stayed silent. Pinkie started bouncing up and down in place, sure that they were deep in thought about the game. Finally, somepony spoke.

“Is it a book?” Applejack replied dully.

“YES!” Pinkie almost exploded in joy. “Gee, AJ, you are really, really, really good at this game!”

“GAAAH!” Rainbow Dash flew down to hover in the middle of the circle of ponies. “We gotta go do something! We can’t just wait here forever!”

“And what would you have us do, darling? We don’t know where Twilight is, and the princess has yet to reply to our message to her,” Rarity stated.

“But...but we can’t just do nothing! That’s like...doing NOTHING!” Rainbow Dash waved her arms about, hoping the wild gesture would confirm her statement.

“Waiting here is our most certain plan,
Twilight should be back when she can.”

Zecora was the only pony staying busy through all this. Again and again she would concoct a potion or elixir, hoping to find the answer to some question that only she knew. 

“And, well, with Trixie being all dangerous and such, staying here certainly seems the safest option,” Fluttershy added.

“Trixie is not dangerous!” Rarity exclaimed. “I’m sure this is just a massive misunderstanding of some sort.”

“Face it, sugarcube, your marefriend done ponynapped Twilight. That ain’t a good sign.” 

“I--I know,” Rarity said softly, “but I refuse to believe that she has become some sort of insane monster.”

“Really? Seems about right to me,” Rainbow Dash said snidely.

“Dash!” Applejack turned on her friend, quieting her, and then looked back to Rarity. “Don’t worry there, Rarity. We’ll find Twilight AND Trixie and get to the bottom of all this.”

“And then we can have a party!” Pinkie added. Everypony in the room turned to look at her. “What? It’s a celebration of the revelation of what happened. It rhymes and everything, so Zecora should like it, too!”

Before anypony could say anything further, a flash of magenta light lit up the room, leaving a lavender unicorn standing there with a very serious expression and a saddlebag on her flank.

“Spike! We need to round up the girls and....” Twilight spun around and saw all of her friends waiting for her in her house.

“Twilight!” they yelled in unison.

Rarity was the first to run up to her. “Twilight, please, tell me that Trixie had nothing to do with what happened to you.”

“Um....” She didn’t get a chance to answer before Applejack chimed in.

“Are you okay, sugarcube? We’ve been sittin’ here more worried than an apple at a worm farm.”

“No time! You’re all here. Good. We’ve got to get going. Get back to the castle,” she rambled as she pulled the saddlebag off her flank and opened it up. Her horn levitated six items out of it and scattered them to the various ponies in the room. “Necklace! Necklace! Necklace! Necklace! Necklace! Crown thingie! Let’s go!”

Each pony, now adorned with their respective Element of Harmony looked down at them and then up at Twilight.

“Go where?” Applejack asked.

“The Castle of Two Sisters in the Everfree Forest. We have to get back there right away,” Twilight answered.

“Why we gotta go there?” Dash asked.

“Because, Nightmare Moon has returned,” Twilight was still rushing her speech, trying to hurry things along.

“N-N-Nightmare Moon?” Fluttershy tried to become part of the tree that made up the library.

“Yes! And Princess Celestia has turned into a giant flaming version of herself and seems a little angrier than usual. Oh, and Trixie’s gone a little mad with power, too.” She shot a quick glance at her friend. “Sorry, Rarity.”

“Wait a tick here,” Applejack started, “you’re tellin’ me that not only has Princess Luna become Nightmare Moon again, but Trixie AND Princess Celestia are just as far gone?”

“Basically, yes. Which is why we need to hurry back. We’ll start with Nightmare Moon and then move to the princess, and then deal with Trixie. Unless one of the other ponies is closer, in which case we’ll start with them. But we’ve got to get there now or else all of Equestria is in trouble!” Twilight rambled.

“Hear my words my pony friends!
This is a trouble that you must end!
My visions have shown such a conflict brewing,
and the future relies on the actions you’re doing.”

Twilight nodded to Zecora, affirming the statement that the mystic zebra shared. She then turned towards her friends, and spoke a little slower and more convincing.

“This is it, girls. This is more than we’ve ever dealt with before. We’ve got to go in and have faith in each other. Together, we can do this,” she said.

“Heck yeah!” Dash flew up smiling. “There ain’t nothing we can’t do when we’re together!”

“Right! But it’s still a long walk to that there castle, so we’d best be hittin’ the road,” Applejack said.

“Well, actually, I was just gonna teleport us there,” Twilight said.

“You can do that? WOW! That’s so super-fabulous!” Pinkie added.

“All the way to the castle? For all of us? Are you sure you can do that, darling?” Rarity asked.

“I can, and we really don’t have time to discuss this, so get ready! We’re going straight to the center of the castle, right where I left them. Be ready to act right away!” Twilight concentrated, a magenta glow building from her horn before a blinding flash blinded everyone, and left only Zecora standing in the room.

“Fly little ponies, let your mission set sail,” she lowered her head down. 
“Though my visions have shown that you are destined to fail.”

* * * * *

The magenta flash signaled the arrival of Twilight and her companions, all of them gathered in a circle, heads down and ready for action. It took only a second for their determined expressions to fade, as one-by-one they raised up and took in their surroundings.

“Uh, Twi? I thought you said we was goin’ to the castle ruins?” Applejack asked.

“I did. We did. I mean, we are. We’re there. This is the place,” Twilight stated, stepping forward and looking around.

“This sure don’t look like the castle I remember,” Dash stated, flying up a little.

“No. No, it doesn’t,” Twilight said.

“Twilight,” Rarity asked softly, “what happened here?”

“I--I don’t know,” she answered.

They all looked around, each of them pointing in a different direction. As far as the eye could see, the landscape had been flattened. Not a tree or object stood above the rocky remains of the land.

And all of it was bleached perfectly white.


...to be continued.
> Chapter Five
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Who Rules?: The Ascended
by Nom deCheval



Chapter Five



Twilight groaned, shaking her head as she came to. Luna looked at her instantly. “Wh-what happened?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight Sparkle!” Luna roused her, grabbing her shoulders and forcing the attention on her directly. “Listen to me. You must go and gather your friends. Collect the Elements of Harmony and return here as fast as you can. The fate of Equestria depends upon it! I will hold her as long as I can.”

“Huh?” Twilight tried to keep up, lost in the conversation. “You need me to get the Elements? Are you going to be safe around Trixie?”

“Twilight Sparkle,” Luna began, raising up to her full height, “I have told you twice already: do not be concerned with Trixie.”

A darkness fell over Luna, surrounding her, and then slowly it began to recede into her, staining her coat from deep blue to black. Her chest piece transformed, shifting to a shining silver armor, and a helmet seemed to grow onto her head, covering it in that same reflective metal. A smile spread across Luna’s face, showing a row of sharp teeth. And when her eyes opened, they were no longer those of a pony, but the long-pupiled scrutiny of a predator.

Nightmare Moon was returned.

“AT LAST!!” The voice was far too familiar to Twilight. “Celestia, you coward! Turn and face me if you dare!”

The flame-covered version of the princess turned and saw her rival standing mere yards away. “YOU!” Her yell seemed capable of shattering the walls by itself. “I should have destroyed you a millennia ago!”

The air bristled with unrestrained power.

“Eeek,” Twilight let out as she teleported away in an instant.

“For a thousand years I dreamt of this moment,” Nightmare Moon said as she moved towards Celestia slowly. “Thought of what I would say and what I would do. And then, when I did return, you hid yourself from me, making me realize that there was no reason for me to have spent any time thinking about you at all, because you are that far beneath me. That frightened of me.”

Celestia moved forward as well, and the two goddesses began to circle each other, sizing each other up in a stalking manner. “And you are a greater fool now than you were a millennia ago. I did not hide, and you should feel lucky. The magic that I used to lock you away came at a price, and I was trapped by your own return. If I had been there you would not have faired as kindly as you did.”

“Really? I don’t remember things going that way,” Nightmare Moon said. “When we last met face-to-face it was on this very site. In this very room, in fact. Don’t you remember, Celestia? Or do I still call you that? You appear to be somewhat different at the moment.”

“I am Celestia! Princess of Equestria and Goddess of the Sun!” she announced.

“Of course you are.” Nightmare Moon’s smile was piercing. “Well, when last we met you were being beaten--rather badly in fact--until you harnessed the Elements of Harmony and banished me. How long did it take you to recover? A day? A week? A month?”

“And you were gone for a thousand years. It was a fair trade,” she replied.

“Yes, I’m sure you think so. But I can’t help but notice one thing rather clearly right now: you don’t have the Elements any more.” Nightmare Moon stopped pacing and stared across at Celestia, the smile on the dark mare fading into an expression of pure anger.

Celestia stopped and faced her evenly, the flame that had replaced her eyes burning white hot. “And that is because I no longer need them.”

“I will give you this one chance, sister,” the word fell like venom from her tongue, “fall to your knees. Kiss my hoof and swear a vow of eternal loyalty to me and I will let you live.”

“You are not my sister. You are the usurper to my throne and the monster that threatens to destroy all of Equestria. I shall enjoy watching you burn!” Celestia spat.

“Very bold statement coming from a flame-covered mare,” Nightmare Moon growled back. “You are far more of a threat to this land than I am. You just don’t realize it yet. Fortunately, you are also far too weak to stop me from destroying you.”

“You will never destroy me. I shall burn eternally, bringing light to Equestria and all of my subjects. You’re darkness shall be incinerated.”

“Incinerate me? But what about Luna? Or has your passion blinded you to the fact that we are one and the same?” Nightmare Moon’s voice was acidic.

“If you are back, then Luna is lost to me. I will not allow her memory to be besmirched by you!” she shouted in reply.

“We’re the same, she and I, you blind foal!” Nightmare Moon reared back, looking down her muzzle. “You have kissed our hooves many times already, whorse, and you will do so again. You will bow before me, Celestia!”

“NEVER!” Flame encircled the alicorn’s horn, just as a sheathe of midnight surrounded Nightmare Moon. The air sizzled as a gout of fire shot out, only to be lost in a void that split the room with the night sky. 

“You will never be able to fill the night sky, Celestia. You cannot touch me,” Nightmare Moon said.

“The moon is nothing more than a pale reflection of the sun. I will burn so brightly that you will turn to ash,” she countered.

A brilliant white light left the horn of one alicorn, so bright that it would blind anypony looking directly at it, while a void of nothingness, so black that to stare into it was to lose oneself, left to counter it. Both were met with an unexpected barrier.

The stones of the floor flew up, dancing into place to create a glowing blue wall of stone and magic that shattered into a thousand shards of rock and debris, raining down on the two feuding sisters. The shrapnel fell harmlessly off of both goddesses, but it was enough to get their attention.

“I’m afraid that you mares have forgotten one thing,” the blue unicorn said as she stepped towards them both, “me.”

From the sidelines, Trixie had been tempted to wait it out and see what the two of them would do to each other. If they were so willing to fight to the death, it would eliminate one of them and weaken the other, leaving them much easier prey. But that wasn’t a sign of being all-powerful. She was here to prove to both of these self-important mares that she was every bit their equal, and if that meant stepping into the middle of a fight, so be it.

“Ah yes, Trixie,” Nightmare Moon smiled. “I was hoping that we would be able to spend some quality time together, sister.”

“I’m not your sister,” Trixie stated proudly, standing apart from the two alicorns. “I am Trixie.”

“Of course you are, but you are also bound to me. The power that you have--the power that you so craved--was granted to you by me. It was my gift to a kindred spirit. To another that wanted to see Celestia’s reign struck down.” Nightmare Moon moved slowly, keeping her distance from both ponies. “A gift to my sister.”

“She is nothing more than a pest,” Celestia said. “A delusion of power that dared to strike at me through those I care about.”

“What a nice thing to say about me,” Nightmare Moon smiled.

“I wasn’t speaking of you! She struck out against Luna.”

“Trixie acted in self-defense!” the blue unicorn announced. “If Luna had not attacked me, I would have done nothing.”

“Then why act now, Trixie?” Nightmare Moon asked. “Shouldn’t you be somewhere else? This is an old battle. This has nothing to do with you.”

“No. This is The All-Powerful Trixie’s castle now. Her home. The place from which I shall bring new guidance to the ponies of Equestria.” Trixie’s head pulled back in pride,  showing no fear of the two goddesses. “And I want the two of you gone from here. Now.”

“I will destroy you quickly, and then get back to this atrocity of the night,” Celestia’s horn blazed to life once more and fire burst around Trixie, igniting the very air that surrounded her. An inferno of flame engulfed Trixie, hiding her from sight and creating enough heat that Nightmare Moon turned her head slightly away in response. It was over in a flash, and when the fire subdued, there was nothing left but a burnt mark on the stone.

“Now,” Celestia turned towards Nightmare Moon, “once you are gone, love can reign down on all the land.”

“Yes, I’m sure. That was so very compassionate of you. Such a symbol of your love,” Nightmare Moon said. “If another pony opposes you, are they turned to ash as well?”

“No pony shall oppose me. I am beloved. There will be no resist--wait,” Celestia cut herself short, turning to look at the scorch mark on the stone. “Turned to ash. There is no ash.”

A glow of blue light burst up from the stone in the ground. A huge circle, intricately detailed with what appeared to be mystic runes came to life on the ground, large enough to surround both the sisters of day and night. 

Nightmare Moon glanced up and saw Trixie, standing on a balcony overlooking the room. She smiled down, her teleportation taking her to safety before the flame did any harm. “Clever girl,” Nightmare Moon said, smiling back at her.

The circle erupted. Beams of power rose up, breaking through what remained of the roof of this chamber, large chunks of stone falling down into the room. The screams of both sisters were overshadowed by the sound of destruction. Tons of stone fell, the blue energy held both Celestia and Nightmare Moon in check for only a moment, but it was long enough for the collapsed roof to fall and bury them beneath tons of stone. The deluge of rock and debris continued, creating a mound half the former height of the room. It was over in seconds, but the echo of the event sounded off the surrounding hillside even as Trixie spoke.

“That was almost too easy,” she said.

“Oh yes, it was,” Nightmare Moon’s voice stated from behind Trixie. The startled mare spun around, and was immediately met by a swirl of star-laden purple energy that surrounded her muzzle and clamped her mouth shut. “Don’t talk. It would ruin the moment.”

Moving up beside the gagged unicorn, Nightmare Moon looked down at the devastation. “I’m impressed. A circle of hegemony constructed on the fly, I’m assuming. That takes no small degree of talent. It’s a shame you never showed that discipline when you were Luna’s student.”

Trixie glared at the black mare. 

“Oh, don’t be so upset. Luna always thought you had great potential. Of course, she also thought that you were a bit of a clown that kept her amused with your bumbling antics. So, it was a fair trade off for her.”

Trixie’s horn came to life, the blue glow appearing and dislodging the gag that kept her silent. “You should have stayed hidden. Trixie has dispatched Celestia, and now will deal with you!”

“Really?” Nightmare Moon was calm. “I think you underestimate my sister. Make no mistake, she is by far the most powerful thing in all of Equestria. That’s why I lured you to my power. Why I tempted you with the shoes you are wearing. Together we will be able to destroy her.”

“Ha! Trixie has already done that!”

A heavy sigh came from the black alicorn. “Of course you have. Why don’t we watch the rubble for a moment together.” Her eyes guided Trixie towards tons of stone that lay in front of them. They stared at it for a moment before Trixie spoke again.

“And what am I supposed to see? Other than the tomb for the tyrant who ruled over us before Trixie took power?”

“Wait. Just wait,” Nightmare Moon calmly stated.

It only took a few more moments before the first sign came to pass. A rock slid from the top of the mound, tumbling to the broken ground beneath it. Followed by another as the rocks visibly shifted.

“It--it’s not possible,” Trixie muttered. “No pony could survive that.”

“She can,” Nightmare Moon answered. “And she did. I rather imagine that she will burst forth in a minute or so with a rather bad attitude in tow. I would hate to be you at the moment.”

Trixie turned an angry eye towards her companion. “I should crush you right now, then.”

“Yes, that’s a wonderful idea. Kill her sister. I’m sure that will make her so much happier,” she explained. “Of course, I’m not much easier to kill than she is, or hadn’t you noticed?”

Nightmare Moon paced around the unicorn, whispering in her ear while the sound of shifting rock filled the background. “Our only chance is to combine our power. Attack her as one. After she has been dealt with we can turn our attentions to each other. Personally, I don’t see why we couldn’t rule in tandem. You and I would be wise and just in our guidance of these ponies, not like Celestia.” The grinding of stone against stone became louder. “But you have to choose now. We are out of time.”

Brilliant white light filled the air, causing Nightmare Moon to hiss and shrink back away from the light. As the glow faded, Celestia, her form now fully aflame, stood strong in the space that was once the throne room, scanning for her enemies.

“You cannot hide! The sun sees all!” she shouted with a voice that could pierce the heavens.

“Oh, I’m not trying to hide, Celestia,” Nightmare Moon took to the air, flying above the white alicorn to look down upon her. “I was just waiting for you come out of hiding again.”

“Trixie is here!” A flash of blue light indicated the arrival of the unicorn’s teleportation spell.

“Excellent! Then I can deal with both of you at once,” Celestia said, the flame around her glowing white hot. 

“We were thinking the same thing,” Nightmare Moon smiled as tendrils of eldritch night wormed their way down from her towards the burning figure.

“You will fall!” There was nothing subtle about Trixie’s attack. A beam of blue energy shot from the tip of her horn, aimed straight at Celestia. In return, a bolt of white wreathed in flame shot back, meeting the assaulting beam. For a moment they locked, and then the blue light started to fade, receding from the white flame that burned past it. Trixie felt herself thrown through the air, the stench of singed hair surrounding her, as Celestia’s attack overpowered her own effort. 

And at that moment the tendrils reached Celestia.

Writhing about her like snakes released on a hot floor, the tendrils slithered about, wrapping themselves around the extremities of the goddess, trapping her wings to her side and the surrounding her legs before seeking the coolness of the stone below, diving into the rock while still surrounding Celestia, trapping her in place.

“Excellent distraction, Trixie. I will remember your action when this is over,” Nightmare Moon stated. The tendrils began to squeeze Celestia, trying to crush the life from her. Instead, all they were able to force out was a smile and a laugh. 

“That’s a surprising sound for being at my mercy,” Nightmare Moon said.

A ball of pure white slid from Celestia, coming to rest just past her head. It pulsed there, hanging in the air patiently for the moment.

“What is that?” Nightmare Moon’s voice was cautious.

“You don’t recognize it?” Celestia said. “I’m suprised. You see it every morning.”

“Celestia...surely you aren’t that mad,” Nightmare Moon said slowly. “A fragment of the sun? Here in Equestria. What do you plan to do with it?”

“Destroy the two of you, obviously,” she answered.

“And lay waste to miles of the land,” Nightmare Moon stated. 

“Yes, but the cost is worth it.”

“You cannot be serious,” Trixie said. 

There was no reply, save for the increased pulsing of the orb and a wide smile on Celestia’s face. Nightmare Moon turned to Trixie with a smile of her own.

“It was good knowing you, Trixie,” she said as she faded into a purple mist.

“Where are you go--” Trixie’s voice was cut off by the deafening sound of solar oblivion.

The world went completely white.

* * * * *

“Twilight,” Rarity asked softly, “what happened here?”

“I--I don’t know,” she answered.

“Well, whatever it was, it sure did it,” Applejack said, slowly looking in a circle.

“You can almost see Ponyville now!” Pinkie exclaimed, jumping up and down, trying to get a better look.

“What about all of the poor creatures that were living in these woods?” Fluttershy voiced her own concern.

“Focus, everypony! We’re still here for a single purpose, and that is to find Nightmare Moon, Trixie, and Princess Celestia,” Twilight stated.

“Yeah, sugarcube, but where in tarnation do we look? I’m pretty sure they ain’t around here,” Applejack said, scanning the horizon.

The other ponies followed suit, looking around once more. No other living being could be seen for miles.

“Well...maybe we just can’t see them,” Twilight said, uneasily. “There are plenty of places that a pony could hide. Lots of dips and breaks in the land that we can’t really see from here.”

“I can,” Rainbow Dash said from high above, “and I can’t see no sign of no pony.” 

“You can’t see everything, Dash. It’s not possible,” Twilight said. “Besides, I would know if something happened to the princess.”

“What do you mean?” Rarity asked.

“I--I don’t know, but I know. I mean, I know that I would know. I know that I know that she’s okay. That nothing happened to her,” Twilight tried to explain to herself and her friends.

“Uh, ya lost me there. That don’t make much sense ta me, Twi,” Applejack stated what most of the ponies were thinking. Most of them.

“Sure it does!” Pinkie Pie chirped in. “She knows that she knows that she would know, and that makes her sure. So we know Celestia is okay!”

“That hurt my head,” Rainbow Dash said.

“And you aren’t entirely right, Pinkie,” Twilight stated. “Celestia hasn’t been hurt, but I’m not sure that she’s okay. She’s gone dark, and I think she might be as bad as Nightmare Moon. We need to be careful with her and with Trixie when we find them. Does everypony understand?”

“Yep,” Applejack answered.

“Got it!” Rainbow Dash stated.

“Oh, that sound bad,” Fluttershy said.

“Nope!” Pinkie Pie said with smile.

The other ponies turned to look at the pink mare. 

“Uh, Pinkie, ah’m not sure you understand. If the princess and Trixie have both gone bad, we gotta act when we see them,” Applejack explained.

“No,” Pinkie said, her voice taking a serious tone, “I don’t think YOU understand, AJ. This is Princess Celestia we’re talking about. This isn’t Nightmare Moon--who we TOTALLY need to zap when we see her--this is our princess. We at least need to give her the benefit of the doubt.”

“You didn’t see her, Pinkie.” Twilight’s face scrunched up with the memory of the brightly burning goddess.

“Did you talk to her? Find out if she had really gone loco-in-the-coco?” Pinkie asked, her face looking worried. “She’s our friend, Twilight, and I won’t hurt a friend.”

“Ah hate to say it, Twi, but she’s got a point.” Applejack walked over to Twilight, a supportive expression on her face. 

“I--I guess so,” Twilight agreed reluctantly. “But we still need to be careful around her. And I know that Trixie’s gone off the deep end, so both her and Nightmare Moon have to be zapped at first sight.”

All of the ponies nodded in agreement, even Pinkie. Fluttershy walked over to Rarity, a look of concern on her face.

“Rarity, are you okay? You’re being very quiet,” she asked.

“I assure you that I am far from okay, darling,” Rarity answered calmly. “I am a bundle of fear and concern, wrought with pain over what has happened to my marefriend. But I have to carry on if I hope to find her and save her.”

“Oh, wow, well, I’m rather impressed. I thought you might be a nervous wreck with everything that is happening,” Fluttershy said.

“Histrionics have their time and place, and this is, without a doubt, very much neither of those things. This is a serious matter, and I will handle it with the attentiveness that it deserves.”

“Let’s get moving, girls,” Twilight said. “I don’t want to wait too long. We don’t know what has happened here yet, and I’m worried about what happened here and the safety of the princess.”

“There is no need to be concerned over me, Twilight Sparkle. I am victorious.” The six friends spun around to see a light descending from the night sky. An orb of brilliant white fell, growing in size and intensity until it was no longer comfortable to look at directly. A flash of light was followed by what seemed to be complete darkness as the ponies’ eyes adjusted, until they saw the image of the flaming princess of the sun.

“Princess?” Twilight’s voice was broken, seemingly unable to carry its own weight.

“Of course, our faithful student.” Celestia smiled and looked across the face of the ponies around her. Fear and confusion stared back at her. “Where is your reverence, my little ponies? Do you no longer hold your princess in high esteem?”

“You...do look very different, princess,” Twilight said slowly. “What happened?”

“That is a sad story, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia sighed. “There were ponies that sought to usurp our power in Equestria. Who thought that they would rule more justly than us, which we both know is not true. So, to protect our precious ponies, we were forced to destroy them.”

“Trixie?” Rarity said softly.

“Yes, she was one of the offenders. The abomination known as Nightmare Moon the other.”

“D--did you do all of this, princess? Did you destroy the castle and this much of the Everfree Forest?” Twilight was trying to be brave.

“We did. It was an unfortunate necessity. Sometimes there must be sacrifices made for the good of everypony.”

“Did you even wonder if there were ponies in the forest? You might have destroyed Zecora’s hut. If she wasn’t staying with me, you would have killed her.” Twilight was trying to talk sense into the figure that was and wasn’t her princess. 

“Acceptable losses,” she answered. “We must protect those that we love, and if they truly love us they would understand. If they don’t love us...well, then they deserved their fate.”

Silence filled the air for two moments.

“I take it back, Twilight,” Pinkie said in a solemn and stunned tone. “I take it all back. Whenever you’re ready.”

“Ah’m with Pinkie,” Applejack said in shock.

“Oh yeah! Let’s do this!” Rainbow Dash urged.

“Do what?” Celestia asked, casting a wary glance in the ponies direction.

“Formation, girls,” Twilight said as everypony moved into position. “We’re going to help you, princess, I promise.”

Celestia scanned the ponies, and her eyes grew wide. The Elements of Harmony were present, and they were being directed towards her. “Twilight? You would betray us? YOU?!”

A light grew around the Element Bearers, their forms illuminating in the magic they channeled from the most powerful artifacts in the world. Celestia looked upon them and scowled. Raising a single hoof, the goddess slammed it down onto the broken white earth, sending a ripple through the ground and a brilliant course of light cascading above it.

The light struck the ponies a fraction of a second before the earth moved beneath them. Five figures were sent flying, repelled from the presence of their goddess princess. They barreled through the air and across the ground, the impact of the attack landing them hundreds of feet away from their starting location. When they stopped their fall, they lay on the ground unconscious.

The sixth pony never moved. The light passed through her harmlessly and the ground bent around her, leaving her standing on her hooves. Twilight spun around, seeing her friends flight and condition, letting a gasp escape her lips. A heat at her back caused her to turn around.

Celestia stood there, the flames of her body stretching up into the night and her eyes bright with fire burning down into Twilight’s body. 

The unicorn gulped in fear. “Uh-oh.”

* * * * *

The moonlight caused the bleached white stone of the ground to take on a slightly silvery hue. The blue streak of light that suddenly split into reality complimented it well. The scream that fell out of it, not so much.

Trixie stumbled out of the cleft in the night sky and fell to her knees, the scream still coming from her mouth. Her coat was scorched, smoking from the fire that burned around her body only moments ago, her body in agony. After a minute the screaming stopped, her head still facing the ground. 

“I. Will. DESTROY her.” Her voice carried the heat that had just surrounded her body. “If Trixie wasn’t the greatest and most powerful unicorn to ever live, then I would be dead right now!”

She lifted her head up and saw the destruction for the first time. “And she would do this to Equestria? It is clear to me now that Trixie must free the land from that insane princess and restore the land to the people. They will only need the slightest bit of guidance from me to carry on and make sure that no pony will disrupt the peace that I will bring.”

A purple mist crawled across the ground, seeking out safe ground on which to grow. Trixie was too caught up to notice it swirl about and form into the domineering form of Nightmare Moon.

“Time displacement?” the midnight mare announced herself. “My, my, Luna would be impressed. You were able to take yourself away from the blast at the last possible moment--though obviously not totally unharmed.”

“You!” Trixie whirled upon the alicorn, her eyes slits on her face. “You did this! You brought Celestia to me and then left me when she was ready to destroy us!”

“Technically, it was Luna who brought her. I would have left Celestia behind,” Nightmare Moon smiled, walking around Trixie slowly.

“You ARE Princess Luna!” she shouted back.

“Hmmm. She and I were having that exact conversation only a short while ago,” the stalking mare stated. “Perhaps we are and perhaps we are not, but what really matters is who we are right now.”

“You are a liar is what you are!” Trixie shouted, her sharp teeth bared at her foe.

“True.” Nightmare Moon kept her head high, looking down on Trixie. “Which is a bit of a contradictory statement on its own.”

“And you are a coward,” Trixie snarled.

“Coward? No, not at all. Cautious and crafty, most definitely, but not a coward,” she replied.

“You fear Celestia. You fear her power,” Trixie stood up, puffing her chest out.

“I am impressed with her power, but I don’t fear it. I am more powerful than Celestia--the normal Princess Celestia, that is--but this new form is a mystery.”

“I thought you said she was more powerful than you, and that’s why you needed Trixie?” she asked.

“Too simple. That Celestia no, this Celestia I’m not sure. I suppose it could be considered another lie. An excuse to get you to distract her so that I could attack. Test her mettle. I will admit that the sun trick surprised me. I didn’t think her quite so ruthless,” Nightmare Moon explained. 

“You’re pathetic,” Trixie said, her horn glowing to life. “I will break your body as a symbol to--”

“Oh please, do shut up,” Nightmare Moon’s horn lit instantly, “and give me back my boots.”

Silver metal dissolved from Trixie’s feet, sliding off her like water in the rain. They flowed across the ground, seeking out their mistress, and slid up her legs, surrounding her hooves and legs and forming the armor that protected the appendages of Nightmare Moon.

As the boots left Trixie, the unicorn went through an instant transformation. Her body shrank, her eyes and teeth returned to normal. She collapsed to the ground, falling in a defenseless heap. She lay there motionless for a moment, and then sobbing could be heard coming from her.

“Why?” she asked, not raising her head. “Why did you give Trixie those things? Those horrible, twisted boots?”

“Because,” Nightmare Moon answered, “you were an easy target. So very angry. So very desperate to prove yourself. It took just a little push to manipulate your mind and draw you into the diamond chamber. You were the catalyst for my escape, dear pony. And for that reason, I am going to let you live.”

“I could feel myself, I could hear myself, but I could not control myself,” Trixie sobbed. “It was like I was trapped in my own body.”

“Yes, the unfortunate side effect of having such power thrust on you so instantly. You actually felt the change. Luna didn’t notice it, nor has Celestia, but you, Trixie, you had that unique experience. Tell me, what was it like?” Nightmare Moon stood over Trixie, her tall, powerful form towering above the mare. 

“Every dark thought came out. Every repressed desire became a part of me.” Tears streamed down Trixie’s face as she remained on the ground, unmoving.

“How wonderful,” Nightmare Moon laughed. “That must have been so refreshing.”

“Refreshing?” she finally turned her head up, staring into Nightmare Moon’s face. “It was a nightmare. My soul was being torn apart. I lost all control. Trixie had finally found a home and a love. I had even forgiven the princesses in my heart. What do I have now?”

“Me.” Nightmare Moon lowered her head down, bringing it directly in line with Trixie’s, staring deep into her eyes. “You will be my pet. Do you understand?”

“No,” Trixie protested weakly, fear painting her face. “No, please.”

“It wasn’t a request. You are going to be my pet. Repeat it.”

“I...I...” she rolled over, sobbing.

Nightmare Moon grabbed her and rolled her back, her face contorted with perverse pleasure. “Say it, or I will make things unpleasant for you--and for your marefriend, Rarity.”

Trixie’s eyes grew huge. “No. Don’t hurt her.”

“Say. The. Words.”

“I...am your...pet,” Trixie choked out, concern for Rarity forcing her to act.

“Again!” She pressed closer to Trixie.

“I am your pet,” Trixie repeated weakly.

Nightmare Moon stood, her nose high, looking down at the crying pony at her hooves. “Excellent. Now, I need you to sit here and repeat that until I return. You are going to think about nothing else and do nothing else. Am I clear?”

“Yes,” she nodded in reply.

A single arched eyebrow told Trixie she was being too quiet.

“I am your pet,” she said. “I am your pet. I am your pet.”

“Perfect. Now, since I have returned the power that I loaned to you, I am ready to face Celestia once more. I will be back shortly. You are to continue talking without me.”

A mantra was developing from the blue unicorn that once again lay on the ground with her head hidden. “I am your pet. I am your pet. I am your pet.”

Without another word spoken, Nightmare Moon transformed on the night wind, shifting to a haze of purple mist that floated away towards her next destination.

The mumbling from the curled up pony continued. “I am your pet. I am your pet. I am your pet.” 

For several minutes it went on with no change. The same phrase repeating over and over. Images of what she had done went through her mind. The things she said to Twilight. The fear of what Nightmare Moon would do to Rarity. Of what Nightmare Moon would do to everypony.

“I am your...pet. I am... I am...”

What Nightmare Moon would do to anypony. Especially to those ponies that hurt her in the past. Like Celestia. And Twilight Sparkle. And Twilight’s friends. Rarity. The sobbing left Trixie’s voice.

“I am. I am,” she raised her head up from the ground, tears no longer falling. “I am...Trixie.”

She struggled to her hooves, resting uneasily as her balance came back to her. Nightmare Moon was evil. She was nothing to be feared. She was something to be stopped.

“I am Trixie,” she said to herself clearly and precisely. “I am The Great and Powerful Trixie.”

There was no trace of fear left anywhere on Trixie’s face, but there was the cold chill of anger.

“I am The Great and Powerful Trixie, and right now, I am pissed off.”

* * * * *

“Tell us, our formerly-faithful-student,” Celestia began, “how is it that you are still standing? You should be as unconscious as your friends.”

“I--I don’t know,” Twilight stammered as she backpedaled away from the princess. “It just went past me.”

“And what magic did you use to do this?” Celestia moved with Twilight’s every step, keeping pace with the frightened unicorn. “What magic do you possess that can challenge us?”

“I’m not challenging you, princess. I just want to help you.” She stumbled and fell backwards, landing firmly on her flank.

Save me.

Twilight looked at the princess, confused. “I am trying to save you, princess. That’s what I’m saying.”

“We don’t need to be saved, Twilight. We need to be obeyed. We need everypony to love and trust our guidance,” Celestia’s eyes burned down as they stared at her rebellious student. Flames licked along the ground, dancing across Twilight’s hooves as they played on the white earth of Equestria. They went unnoticed by Twilight Sparkle, who stared up at the goddess.

Twilight, save me. It spoke again. Clearly Celestia’s voice, but Twilight was watching the princess. Her mouth never opened.

“Princess?” she asked, not directed towards the flaming goddess in front of her.

“We are disappointed in you, Twilight,” the flaming Celestia said. “We thought that you, of all ponies, would be there for us always. Now, with a heavy heart, we must weigh judgment upon you.”

“Princess, what do I do?” Twilight asked in desperation.

Save me. Restore me. The voice replied just before the flaming Celestia did.

“You seek our mercy?” She arched an eyebrow as she looked at the seated pony. “Never let it be said that Celestia is without kindness.” She brought her hoof up to rub her chin for a moment. “We need you to restore faith. An act of contrition.”

The world rushed up to Twlight Sparkle. Images from the past four months flashed in her brain, as pieces fell into place. Restore. A light dawned in her eyes. It was clear what she had to do.

“I--I want to prove my love to you, princess.” Twilight swallowed back fear as she stood up. “Please, allow me to show you.”

“And what do you propose?” Celestia asked.

“One single night, four months ago, was the greatest moment in my life. The night that I was allowed to pleasure you. I would be honored to do so again,” Twilight said through very unsteady nerves.

Celestia pulled her head back, recoiling from the words she just heard. “You propose physical pleasure? Here? Now?”

“Yes, my princess,” Twilight answered, stepping closer to Celestia. “It is always the right time and place to show the one you love most just how much you love her. Let me show you.”

Twilight stepped into the corona of Celestia’s flame, her heart racing as she did. This would prove her theory--or cause her to run screaming in pain. The fire cascaded around her body, swallowing her up completely. And doing no harm at all.

“How are you not on fire?” Celestia asked. “What magic is this?”

“This isn’t magic, my princess. This is my love for you,” she answered hastily. “My heart burns for you with a heat that is only matched by your radiance.”

“We do not--” Celestia was cut off by Twilight Sparkle’s kiss. The unicorn rushed forward, stretching up to bring her lips into direct contact with the taller mare. Twilight could feel the fire brushing over her lips and playing with the inside of her mouth, but all the heat came from the passion of the kiss and not the flame. 

Twilight pressed her tongue past Celestia’s lips, which opened to receive the visitor. The two tongues frolicked together, playing in Celestia’s mouth. Twilight pulled back, a trail of burning saliva connecting the two mouths for a moment before snapping. 

“Please, my princess,” she looked at her with half-lidded eyes, “please let me pleasure you.”

Celestia took a deep breath, staring down at Twilight who stood so seductively before her. “We will let you.” Her voice was thick and husky as she spoke. “But not on this ground.”

Her eyes turned to pure white as Celestia’s magic went to work. The stone of the area moved, rearranging itself to her will, bringing up massive columns of what looked to be polished white marble and a stone floor covered in a massive inlay version of Celestia’s cutie mark. Fire spun off of the goddess, spiraling out into the middle of the chamber, forming itself into a massive, luxurious circular bed, covered in soft, red pillows. 

“This is a more appropriate place for a goddess to receive pleasure,” Celestia said as she stepped towards the huge bed. In her mind, Twilight was aghast. Had the princess always possessed this level of power? To be able to conjure this from nothing was unheard of. On the outside, she valiantly kept her composure and followed to the bed.

“And what did you have in mind, Twilight?” Celestia asked.

“For now, my princess, simply lie back and let me tend to you, please,” she answered, sliding up next to the mare and nuzzling her neck gently.

“We...like this idea,” Celestia breathed out. “Proceed.”

Twilight smiled as her tongue came out to lick along the princess’ neck, followed by a series of kisses. Intermixed, she let her teeth nip on the burning coat, just enough to cause a gasp from the powerful mare. Celestia lay back, her wings stretching out to either side of her large frame, occupying the majority of the bed. Twilight moved some of the pillows with her magic, putting them beneath the neck and head of the mare to allow her a better view of what was happening.

The kisses trailed down Celestia’s neck, with Twilight briefly stopping at the nape of the neck, to increase the pressure at the erogenous point where the neck joins the body. She momentarily thanked the time she spent reading about pony physiology before she kept moving.

Her forehooves strayed down from Celestia’s chest, wrapping around until they met with the princess’ wings. She brushed against them, realizing how sensitive they were from their previous encounter, and drew a warm sigh from Celestia. 

Kissing down the chest, Twilight let her hooves linger on the wings as long as possible before sliding them down with the rest of her body. Stringing a series of kisses across Celestia’s stomach, she moved her hooves out and around, taking them beneath the princess’ rear legs and letting them fall directly onto her flank. She massaged and kneaded the flank of the mare, even as she moved her lips lower.

Her lips met Celestia’s inner thigh, even as her cheek brushed gently against the goddess’ marehood. Twilight felt Celestia’s forehooves reach out and gently stroke her mane as she continued to lavish kisses, tongue, and teeth against the willing flesh. 

She moved inward, suddenly finding herself facing Celestia’s dripping wet sex. She stared at it for a moment. This was a new experience for her. She had kissed plenty of times in the past, and had some sexual experience, but she had never actually...performed...on a mare before. Even in a moment like this, with so many lives on the line and the possible fate of the entire world hanging in the balance, she paused to think about what to do next, her nerves fluttering in her stomach.

With a heavy breath, Twilight lowered her muzzle down to place a kiss on Celestia’s lower lips. A moan came from the throat of the goddess, encouraging her to continue, and Twilight repeated the action, again kissing the outer lips of Celestia’s marehood. 

Twilight looked up, finding the eyes of Celestia staring back down at her, desire filling them with a heat more brilliant than her flame. Celestia’s mouth was hanging open, her breath heavy, as Twilight let her tongue slip out of her mouth and into the waiting slit beneath her.

“Mmmmm, yes,” Celestia moaned as her head rolled back, taking her eyes away from Twilight.

Deciding to let instinct take over, Twilight continued to let her tongue work up and down the lips of Celestia’s pussy. Her analytical mind would not stop working, though, and she pondered the taste of the sun goddess’ nether juices. Sweet and tangy. Those were the words that first came to mind as she continued to lick up and down, feeling combined juices from her mouth and Celestia’s cunt begin to intermingle and soak the coat around her mouth. 

Pushing her tongue out as far as she possibly could, Twilight plunged into Celestia’s hole, feeling the tunnel expand to accept her intrusion. She began to move her head, thrusting her tongue in and out, fucking the goddess with her mouth. Immediately, Celestia found the rhythm and began to push back against the unicorn’s tongue. 

Having trouble keeping up with her, Twilight brought her legs back around, locking them around Celestia’s thighs to keep herself anchored against her pussy as the  two of them bucked against each other.

Alternately, Twilight began to pause between thrusts, licking up the length of Celestia’s slit and making sure to spend a moment on the engorged clit that waited at the top of the opening. 

“Yes! Right there!” Celestia commanded when Twilight’s tongue touched her sensitive nub. 

Responding to the physical cue, Twilight stopped thrusting and focused her attention on the clitoris. She didn’t want to over-stimulate the princess, but rather bring her to a steady crescendo. She kept her tongue soft and guided it across the surface of the clit, and then surrounded it with licks that went back-and-forth across the vaginal lips. She punctuated these actions by stopping and taking the whole clit into her mouth with gentle suction, and letting her tongue play with the isolated nerve bundle. 

Celestia was in ecstasy. Her moans filled Twilight’s ears, and her forehooves clutched at the pillows nearby, pulling them towards her repeatedly. Twilight was relentless, continuing to tease and pleasure Celestia’s clit and opening with her tongue. 

Twilight’s face was coated with the signs of her work, and the sounds filling the room told her that it was a job well done.

A strong, guttural moan was accompanied by Celestia grabbing Twilight’s mane and pulling her against her cunt, juices flowing from it like water as the goddess came. Twilight stayed there, drinking in the liquid as best she could, swallowing it down. It seemed to flow forever to the unicorn, but she kept at it, not wanting to disappoint. Not right now.

Eventually, Celestia loosened her grip on Twilight’s mane, and the unicorn was able to pull back, her forehoof wiping the excess cum from her lips as she sat up.

Looking up from her position, Celestia smiled. “You do love us, don’t you?”

“I’ve always loved you, princess. I would do anything for you,” Twilight explained honestly.

“Then you deserve a reward. Name it, and we shall make it happen,” Celestia said.

Twilight swallowed back her fear. This was the opportunity that she wanted. That she needed. Hopefully the next part would go as smoothly.

“I--I do have something...” Twilight trailed off. 

“Speak it!” Celestia ordered.  

“Would...you play with my horn?” Twilight said softly.

“You wish our hooves on your horn?” Celestia asked, her smile turning into a smirk.

“No,” Twilight answered quickly. “I mean, yes, I do, but...I was thinking more about your mouth.”

“You want our lips on your horn, then?” Celestia slid forward, bringing her muzzle closer to Twilight. She bent down and kissed the unicorn, this time pushing her tongue into Twilight’s mouth and exploring. She held it only for a moment. Celestia’s flaming mane looped down, covering Twilight in a warm embrace, but still doing no damage to the smaller mare. 

“Yes, please,” Twilight answered earnestly. 

Celestia’s tongue came out and licked the base of Twilight’s horn, flicking around the place where it joined her body. That first action was almost enough for Twilight to lose control. No pony had ever done that to her before, and the sensation was far better than she thought it was going to be.

“Like that?” Celestia asked, pulling away from the horn for a moment. She brought her hoof up to stroke the shaft of the horn as she spoke into Twilight’s ear. “We have centuries of experience, little pony. We will try to make this special for you.”

“Please,” Twilight begged.

Removing her hoof, Celestia ran her tongue up the length of the shaft, pausing when she reached the top to swirl it around the point. She stayed there, letting her tongue play with the tip as her hoof moved back to the base of the horn, gently rubbing it. And then she took the horn into her mouth.

Twilight moaned. The pleasure was so amazing. Beyond anything that she imagined. The feeling of Celestia’s tongue working along the ridges of her horn as her lips pulled and sucked on it sent wave after wave of primal delight slicing through Twilight’s brain. She could feel her magic already building at the base of the horn.

Celestia began to bob her head up and down, taking in more of the horn with every downward motion. And then she moved her hoof and took the entire thing down her throat. Twilight froze, her flesh tickling with electric lust as this creature swallowed her horn. She wanted to cum. To release her magic there and then down Celestia’s throat, but she couldn’t. Not yet. 

Not if she was going to save the princess.

Bringing her hoof back into play, Celestia let the slick moisture of her saliva lubricate the horn, allowing her to twist her hoof around it with every plunge of her mouth. She quickly built up a tempo, driving deep down Twilight’s horn before pulling back so only the tip remained in her mouth. And then she began to hum.

Twilight’s eyes crossed. She was fighting so hard not to release her magic just yet. She could feel the build-up inside her, seeking release, but she had to wait. She had to have all her magic behind this--and more.

Experience told Celestia that Twilight was ready to explode. She increased her tempo, sucking hard on the horn as she pulled back while expanding her throat out to accommodate the length on the way down. She smiled, content to know that this little unicorn was no match for her carnal skills. 

“Princess...please...” Twilight was barely able to form words, “let me...cum in...your mouth.”

A laugh was Celestia’s only answer. As though there was going to be another option for her unicorn lover.

Twilight screamed. Unlike Celestia’s moan, this was a base scream from the core of her being, piercing the silence of the night. And with it came the magic from the core of her being. It erupted from her horn, filling Celestia’s mouth as the goddess thrust the horn down her throat, letting the magic spill into her completely.

With the last bit of strength and reason that Twilight had left, she reached up and grabbed Celestia, pulling her down onto her horn, forcing her to swallow. Wave after wave shot out of Twilight and into Celestia, pouring magic both foreign and familiar into her being.

Suddenly aware of what was happening, Celestia tried to pull free, but Twilight held onto her with all her might. Though she was much smaller than the alicorn, Twilight Sparkle was debatably the most tenacious being in all of Equestria. 

Twilight held onto the fighting figure until she felt completely spent, and then let go. Celestia immediately pulled back, her eyes ablaze--but the rest of the fire surrounding her body suddenly fading. Only her eyes, mane and tail remained aflame. “What did you do to me?!” she shouted down at Twilight.

Falling into a heap onto the pillows, Twilight fought to keep her eyes on Celestia. “Come back, princess. Please, I know that you can do it.”

“What do you mean? I--”

“That’s right: you!” Twilight interrupted. “Not ‘we,’ but you. You are a single pony. The best of all of us. And we need you. Not the creature you were becoming. Please, princess, come back.”

Celestia stared down at Twilight, her face twisted in anger, and yet all she did was stare. The anger in her face twitched and faded. And then the flame that ignited her tail was extinguished, immediately followed by the burning mane. She stared down, her eyes burning with something other than hate, and then fading back to become the clear eyes of the kind princess of Equestria.

“T-Twilight?” Celestia gently identified the pony beneath her.

“Princess?” Twilight answered.

She fell down, wrapping her hooves around Twilight’s weak form, embracing her tightly. Twilight responded, hugging back as strongly as she could muster.

“Is it you, princess?” Twilight asked.

“It is. It is,” she pulled away, tears streaming down her face as she looked at her prized pupil, “thanks to you.”

“I wasn’t sure that was going to work,” Twilight said. “I heard your voice calling to me, and I realized it was the pure part of you that was speaking to me. The part that hadn’t been corrupted. The part that I...stole.”

“You stole nothing, my faithful student,” Celestia smiled. “You cannot take what is freely given. And besides, you had the good courtesy to return it to me.”

“So, I really had a piece of you inside me that whole time?” she asked.

“Yes, you did,” Celestia answered. “Not on purpose, mind you, but I am so glad that this accident occurred. I suppose that is why I have felt so weak lately. You had a portion of my power, unbeknownst to either of us. But if you hadn’t harbored it--hadn’t kept it pure of the corruption that I put myself through--there might have been no coming back for me.”

“Are you okay, princess? Is that...bad...side of you gone for good?” she asked.

“I believe so, yes. The fragment you shared was enough to let me fight it off and destroy it. It has left me rather weak, though,” Celestia stated.

“I know how you feel. I think I could sleep for a week,” Twilight said. Her eyes suddenly opened wide. “Hey! I think I can sleep! I’m tired!”

“You will have to explain why this is exciting news to me, Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia was confused. 

Twilight laughed. “Don’t worry about it, princess. Just another side effect of having a piece of you inside me.”

“Oh my, what a touching scene.” Twilight and Celestia both turned to look at the newly arrived pony, their faces becoming ashen when they saw her face. 

“Now, how do you think I can add to this moment?”

The corner of Nightmare Moon’s lip curled up into a sneer. 


...to be concluded.
> Chapter Six
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Author's Note: 
Just a quick note: This chapter gets a little dark. Not so much that I wanted to add the Grim tag, 
but there are a few dark spots, so...be warned. 




Who Rules?: The Ascended
by Nom deCheval




Chapter Six





“Run.” Celestia stood as ably as she could, facing straight at Nightmare Moon, though her command was clearly directed at Twilight Sparkle.

“I’m not going to leave you, princess,” she responded.

“It wasn’t a request, Twilight. I need you to leave this very moment,” Celestia said firmly.

“Oh no, Twilight, please do stay,” Nightmare Moon walked casually around the the large, round bed, Celestia staying between her and Twilight. “It will save me the trouble of tracking you down later.”

“Twilight! Go! Now!” Celestia turned to Twilight for a moment, emphasizing her point. The unicorn balked for a moment, and then turned and sprinted out of the columned temple, leaving the two alicorns behind.

“I could stop her, you realize,” Nightmare Moon smirked.

“This isn’t about her. This is about us. It has always been about us,” Celestia answered.

“It was about us, but then you brought her and her friends into it. Now they must be punished for their actions, too. Another life you have ruined, Celestia.”

“They are some of the finest ponies I have every known, Luna. They are selfless and courageous beyond belief. You would do well to remember that,” Celestia answered with pride.

Nightmare Moon stopped her pacing, looking up at Celestia as she stood on the bed. Her face contorted into a smile. “Luna? Really? I think you have me confused with somepony else.”

“No, I do not. You are my sister. You are Luna,” she replied.

“So, now you are accusing your sister of trying to usurp your throne and not Nightmare Moon? Didn’t you recently say something exactly contrary to that fact?”

“At the time I was uninformed,” Celestia answered. “I didn’t know what you had gone through. What had happened to you. Now I understand. And I know that Luna is still there, fighting to free herself from your control.”

“And if I were to tell you that Luna gave me control? That she stepped aside so that I could rise to power once more?” Nightmare Moon smiled.

“Then I would know that she had faith in me and the Elements to free her from your control,” Celestia answered confidently.

“Faith in you? You are the reason that I exist!” Nightmare Moon spat.

“I know,” Celestia answered softly. “Both then and now. Jealousy powers you, and I allowed Luna to feel jealous, not fully understanding what was happening. And for that, I am sorry.”

“Sorry? SORRY?!” She moved up to the bed, standing inches away from the white alicorn. “Do you think that pity can save you from what I am going to do? I want nothing more than to see you broken and at my hooves, begging me for mercy.”

“I have already done that to Luna,” she answered. “But I did so out of love, not fear. I allowed myself to be there because I trust you, Luna. I always have and I always will.”

“Then I suppose you have a new sensation coming to you soon,” Nightmare Moon sneered. “You will beg me for your life, Celestia. Out of fear.”

“You know that I won’t do that, little sister,” she answered confidently.

“I TOLD YOU TO NEVER CALL ME THAT!” Spit flew from Nightmare Moon’s mouth as she yelled.

Celestia smiled. “Yes, you did...Luna.”

Nightmare Moon stamped her hoof up onto the bed, directly in front of Celestia. “Kiss it!” she commanded. “Kiss it and swear loyalty to me forever and I shall make your pain minimal.”

“Gladly,” Celestia answered. “After you have been driven from Luna’s body, demon.”

“You will bow down to me, Celestia! To me, not Luna! First you, and then soon enough, your student!”

“NEVER!” 

The pitch of the night became darker. Cold air standing still around both beings as they remained steadfast, neither giving ground or moving. Finally, Nightmare Moon pulled her hoof from the bed, placing back onto the smooth stone flooring as she looked at Celestia once more with a smile.

“You know that you do not have the strength to fight me right now,” Nightmare Moon said.

“And you know that will not stop me from doing so,” Celestia answered. 

The glow that surrounded Nightmare Moon’s horn was all the warning that Celestia needed. Her own horn came to life, releasing a burst of white energy that was met by a beam of perfect black that escaped from her foe’s horn. They met perfectly, colliding with enough force to shake the foundation of the new temple.

The accuracy of Nightmare Moon’s statement became perfectly evident immediately. Celestia’s white energy was forced back, threatening to overwhelm the princess. Experience taught her well, though, and she knew all she could do was slow down the attack long enough to give her time to prepare a proper defense. Nightmare Moon’s black energy slammed into a shield of perfect white, shattering the barrier on impact, but also dissipating the assault. 

The second energy beam that followed was totally unexpected by Nightmare Moon. Golden white power struck the midnight body and sent the would-be usurper flying backwards. Before her body touched ground she transformed into a deep purple mist that swirled about the room, twisting in and around the columns that served as the walls to the temple. Celestia watched the mist, doing her best to anticipate where the mare would reappear, and hoping that her enemy did not see her stagger from exertion or notice the depth of each breath.

“I am impressed, Celestia,” the voice came from her right, and she turned to face it, “I didn’t think that you would be able to put up any sort of fight.”

“I fight for Equestria and for Luna,” she said. “I will never stop fighting.”

“Oh, I think you will,” Nightmare Moon smirked, “because you have forgotten one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I cheat.” The illusion of Nightmare Moon faded as the voice behind her spoke. Celestia felt the horn pierce her flesh, driving deep into the point where her neck met her body. The pain was notable, but the shock of the moment overwhelmed it easily. 

Celestia collapsed onto the bed as Nightmare Moon moved to stand above her. The teal eyes of the mare stared down as Celestia tried to regain her footing.

“Wh-what did you do?” She fought her own body, sliding off the bed and stumbling to her hooves. She turned around, ready to summon her magic for another attack--but no magic responded.

“I put a block on your arcana cortex. It’s that small node that controls the flow of magic between the mind and body. I had a thousand years to think about this moment. I know every inch of pony physiology. I know how to cripple you.” Nightmare Moon stepped casually off the bed, moving towards the injured Celestia. “You’ll find that you don’t have enough magic to light a candle right now.”

Summoning all her will, Celestia tried to light her horn once more. She could feel the magic inside her, but it wasn’t obeying her commands. She was defenseless. It was time to switch tactics.

“I do not need magic to defeat you,” Celestia said, rising up to her full height. “Or are you too much a coward to face me mare-to-mare?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Nightmare Moon stopped, staring at the still defiant princess. “I’m bigger than you, stronger than you, and you’re already beaten. You can’t seriously want to do this.”

Celestia’s hoof dug at the floor. “I take it that means that you are a coward then?”

Narrowing her eyes, Nightmare Moon growled as much as spoke. “Still a bit of a wild mare, I see. I will enjoy breaking you, Celestia.”

She lowered her horn and snorted, staring across at Celestia who dug her hoof once more. They paused, watching each other, waiting for the other one to make the first step. Both would swear the other moved first, lurched forward for the attack. White moved against black, and black against white, covering the two dozen feet that separated them with dangerous speed. 

To them that instant took forever. Every step was another calculation. Another direction and feint to disguise their true intention. By the time their horns met, the victor was already decided.

A thunderous crash of horns scraped along until the base of each spire met, and the loser was sent sprawling back in a tumultuous fall. She spilled across the floor, crashing against the massive bed with a noticeable thud. Raising her head, she shook off the cobwebs as the other mare approached once more.

“How? How is that possible?!” Nightmare Moon’s voice was fuming as she regained her hooves. 

“You still don’t understand, do you?” Celestia was hiding the pain that coursed through her body. She didn’t have the magic to absorb the impact like Nightmare Moon. “Do you remember the last time we dueled? I told you then that I was holding back. That I didn’t want to hurt you. This is different. And I’m not fighting alone.”

“What are you talking about?” Nightmare Moon’s eyes began to glow in anger.

“Luna. Luna is fighting with me. She is fighting against you all the time. Together we are going to defeat you,” she stated.

Her lip curled up as Nightmare Moon’s horn flared to life. “I’m done with games,” she said. Chains of ebon night flew out of the shadows, wrapping around the princess and trapping Celestia, pinning her legs and wings in place. She struggled against them, only to find a cocoon of black surrounding her muzzle, straightening it to look directly at Nightmare Moon. A hoof struck Celestia squarely across the face, jerking it to the side. Another hoof sent it back the other direction. A trickle of blood snuck out from her lip as she once again turned to see Nightmare Moon glaring at her.

“Kiss my hoof.” Nightmare Moon presented the hoof, raising it to just below the trapped alicorn’s muzzle. 

“You know I won’t,” she stated calmly. “Nothing you can do to me will change that.”

She curled her lip up to snarl, but it transformed before it could reach a peak of primal anger. “You know, you’re right,” she said with a twisted smile. “Nothing I do to you will matter. But what about your subjects? What about all of the ponies sleeping peacefully around Equestria right now? What would happen if, say, a sudden meteor shower were to rain down on Manehatten?”

For the first time Celestia’s face fell. “Y-you wouldn’t.”

“Thousands would die, Celestia. Of course, you could stop it. Normally, I would say that you could use your vast magical power to stop the meteors, but you can’t, can you?” She leaned in closer. “There is another way.”

The black hoof in a silver shoe found its way up to Celestia’s muzzle once more. “Kiss it. Do it, and no one dies tonight, Celestia. Submit to me and everypony will live. Defy me and thousands pay the price. Is that what you want?”

Celestia choked back her fears. “Do you give me your word that you will harm no other ponies?”

“Now, what would that be worth? We both know I am a liar. But if you do it, I won’t destroy Manehatten. Isn’t that enough? Now...” She waved the shoe-clad hoof in front of Celestia’s muzzle once more. “Kiss. My. Hoof.”

Celestia trembled, lowering her mouth slowly towards the hoof in front of her. “What I do, I do for the ponies of Equestria,” she said softly as her lips touched hoof. 

Nightmare Moon’s eyes closed and her head reared back as the euphoria of the moment washed over her. She savored the sensation of the lips on her hoof for a moment before snapping her head back, her eyes glaring wide in gloating joy. The chains binding Celestia disappeared. “Now, onto the bed and on your knees! Do it!”

A solemn expression wore on Celestia’s face as she stepped onto the huge bed and lowered herself down to her knees, her eyes locked with Nightmare Moon’s and filled with the fire of defiance. 

“Kiss the other one,” Nightmare Moon commanded as she, too, stepped onto the bed.

Hesitating only for a moment, Celestia lowered her head and brought her lips down to touch Nightmare Moon’s other hoof. The ebon mare didn’t wait for Celestia to rise back up. Grasping the white alicorn’s horn with her hoof, Nightmare Moon yanked the mare’s head up to stare directly into her eyes once again.

“You’ve lost, Celestia,” she gloated. “I could kill you right now. It would be easy. But that would just make you a martyr, and no pony likes a martyr. Instead, I think you would be best served as my slave. A reminder to everypony that I am the unquestioned ruler of Equestria.”

“I am not your slave,” Celestia answered coldly. 

“Oh but you are. Or at least you have been, haven’t you? How many times have you called us Mistress? How many times have you done everything we’ve asked?”

“Luna, not you.”

“You say that I am Luna. That she is inside me. Well, then here is your chance to draw her out.” Nightmare Moon’s horn lit a deep purple glow. Instantly Celestia moaned out loud. “Oh, did I not tell you that the block I control on your arcana cortex also stimulates you? An alicorn’s magic is a highly sensitive thing, after all. I can turn you on instantly, Celestia. You are my toy.”

It was true. Celestia could feel her body betraying her, becoming aroused in the presence of this vile creature. She fought it off with all of her will. And then Nightmare Moon began to stroke Celestia’s horn. 

“Aaaaaahh,” she cried out from the sudden sensation.

“Does that feel good?” Nightmare Moon asked mockingly. “Of course it does. It’s coming from my hoof. I will train you to think of my touch as the one thing that gives you pleasure. In time, you will crave nothing else, and will do anything in the hopes of my touch.”

“N-no,” Celestia moaned defiantly.

“Oh, please do fight it. It will make my victory that much sweeter.” Nightmare Moon released her hold on Celestia’s horn and began to walk around the mare. Celestia felt her head fall to the ground as the passion consumed her, her body refusing to obey her commands. 

“Tonight isn’t about your pleasure, though,” Nightmare Moon said, taking up position behind the goddess. “Tonight is about my celebration. And my pleasure.”

Bringing her hoof up between Celestia’s legs, she roughly mauled the mare’s sex, eliciting another cry of surprise. The tone of Celestia’s voice sounded like pain, but the expression on her face was one of pure passion.

“You’re very wet, Celestia. Maybe you don’t even need my magical stimulation. Luna did a wonderful job of training you already, it seems.”

Silently, a transformation occurred in Nightmare Moon. Emerging from her own marehood, a massive penis grew to life from her clitoris. Far thicker and longer than any normal stallion, it commanded attention, a massive purple head on the end of a daunting black shaft. It was instantly fully erect and ready.

“Sadly, you cannot be trusted enough to perform on my sex with your mouth. So I will have to rely on a bit of familiar magic to make do for now.”

Lurching forward, Nightmare Moon mounted Celestia, bringing her magically endowed cock in line with the princess’ pussy. She rubbed the head against her opening, getting it slick and ready to enter. She leaned forward and spoke directly into Celestia’s ear.

“I have fantasized about your mouth on my cunt, whorse. About you whimpering as I ground myself against your muzzle. And that will happen soon enough. But for now I want you to feel my power as I force myself on you, taking what is rightfully mine.”

With a single thrust, Nightmare Moon impaled Celestia. Even with the amount of arousal Celestia was feeling, she wasn’t prepared for this, and her scream echoed throughout the temple.

“What’s the matter, whorse? Am I too big for you? Too powerful?” Nightmare Moon ground her hips into the other mare, emphasizing her point. 

“There...is nothing...about you...that I cannot handle,” Celestia grunted in reply.

Nightmare Moon laughed and began to pull out of Celestia, only to once again drive herself into the mare with staggering force. The receiving mare only grunted once more, accepting the horse cock as it pounded into her. Nightmare Moon didn’t hesitate, pistoning herself out and back into Celestia once again as she began to fuck her in earnest. 

“I am the best that you will ever have, whorse,” Nightmare Moon growled into her ear. “Better than you will ever deserve.”

“I have...already had...better,” Celestia answered, “you are just...stealing her body.”

“You will come to call me goddess!” Nightmare Moon yelled.

“And you...will come to realize...that you cannot win,” Celestia’s breath was becoming more ragged as Nightmare Moon’s cock continued to assault her. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, the combination of physical and magical stimulation was driving her closer and closer to orgasm.

And that’s when Nightmare Moon pulled out of her.

“You’re worthless cunt is far too used and tired for somepony of my stature,” she said. “I have another plan.”

Celestia felt the magical prick pushing against her tail hole. 

“No! I...AAAHHHHH!” Her shrill scream almost drowned out Nightmare Moon’s laugh as she forced the massive cock into the goddess’ ass. 

“That is much better,” Nightmare Moon said, rearing up above Celestia to get a better angle of thrust. “That should be sufficient to get me to cum.”

The only response from the sun goddess was a primal growl. Nightmare Moon responded by grabbing a hoof-full of Celestia’s mane and pulling on it for added leverage.

“Your ass truly is divine, dear sister,” Nightmare Moon said as she drove in and out rapidly. “I think that I will make this my special plaything. Use it for times that I truly want to celebrate.”

Celestia growled beneath her. Her anger was flaring, and at the moment it was directed at herself. There was no reason that she should be aroused, magic influence or not. But so help her, she was nearly mad with lust. Her body betrayed her and began to buck back against Nightmare Moon’s thrusts.

A deep laugh escaped from Nightmare Moon. “You like this, my little slut-toy? Do you want me to abuse you like this daily? You are going to have to prove your worth to me, I think. I want you to cum from me fucking your ass. Do you hear me, whorse?”

She said nothing, simply letting the black mare drive her magical cock deep into her ass with every thrust, driving her own hips back in rhythm to meet each stroke. The strength behind the thrusts drove Celestia deeper into the pillows that covered the round bed. 

“Bring your hoof to your clit! I want you to cum. If you do not, I will violate one pony before your eyes for every second of defiance!”

Without hesitation Celestia brought her hoof to her own sex and began to massage her swollen clit. A moan of pleasure grew in her throat, even as she tried to fight it down.

“Yessss,” Nightmare Moon hissed. “Get to work, whorse! If you do not cum before I do, then a dozen others will be brought in to service me, and we both know how fragile those little ponies can be.”

Her hoof quickly was covered in the slick juices escaping her pussy. She began to move her hoof in time with the cock that was violating her ass, rubbing back and forth as the huge phallus penetrated her. 

“Your ass is too good, Celestia,” Nightmare Moon growled. “I’m going to cum soon. You had better get to work.”

No sooner was it said than Celestia’s breath started to come in short, rapid takes, her hips bucking wildly, no longer able to keep in time with Nightmare Moon’s thrusts, and she came. Juices flowed from her pussy, drenching her hoof and covering her thighs as she continued to rub her clit, the horse cock still ramming into her ass. Her muscles contracted reflexively, tightening onto Nightmare Moon’s magical phallus and causing the first audible moan from that mare to carry through the room. 

Yanking herself free from Celestia’s anal passage, Nightmare Moon quickly moved around in front of the white alicorn. She grasped Celestia’s horn and yanked her face up, putting it directly in line with the throbbing dick. 

“Take it, Tia! Open your mouth!” Celestia did as she was told, just as a hot stream of white goo shot out of the cock and splashed across her muzzle. A second burst of cum shot out, landing in Celestia’s open, waiting mouth. Nightmare Moon pushed her cock into the mouth, resting the head on Celestia’s tongue. The mare began to suck down the remaining spurts of cum as they leaked from the thick, black cock. After a moment or two, Nightmare Moon pulled back, her cock coming free from Celestia’s mouth with an audible pop. 

She leaned down and ran her tongue across Celestia’s muzzle, licking up the stream of cum that rested against the white coat of the mare, even as the cock that created it withdrew back into her body. When she pulled back her head, she saw Celestia smiling up at her.

Her eyebrow arching up, Nightmare Moon paused. “Smiling? Don’t tell me that I’ve broken you so soon.”

Her smile grew larger as she looked at the confused expression on the other alicorn. “You called me ‘Tia.’ Only Luna calls me that. You’re losing your hold. Our love is too strong for you.”

The confused face quickly turned into a scowl, and Nightmare Moon brought her hoof across Celestia’s face, slapping her hard enough to snap the mare’s head to the side. 

“Clean yourself up. I want you presentable for our audience,” she said coldly.

“Audience?” Celestia brought the back of her hoof up to the corner of her mouth, wiping clear the blood that once again began to trickle out.

“Yes. I’m going to publicly announce my ascension to the throne of Equestria.” She turned to look at the seated mare. “And you are going to help me.”

“You truly think I will give you my throne?” Celestia asked calmly. “Using my body is one thing, but I will not let you lord yourself over my subjects.”

“You don’t have a choice!” Nightmare Moon spat back at her. “Which reminds me, I still need to break you, don’t I?”

Midnight purple light surrounded Nightmare Moon’s horn and Celestia’s left, rear leg at the same time. A series of sharp snaps was heard coming from the leg, and Celestia reached for it in a silent scream of pain. 

“That was for your physical assault on me,” she explained. “It should be much more difficult to attack me with a broken leg. Don’t worry, I will probably be gracious enough to let a doctor set it later. If you obey. If not, both you and innocents suffer.”

“Luna will beat you,” Celestia said through clenched teeth.

“Of course she will.” Idly discarding Celestia’s statement, Nightmare Moon’s horn came to life again, the deep purple glow of her magic surrounding her and spreading out to fill the entire room.

Across Equestria the same event occurred. Whether it be in Canterlot, Manehatten, Los Pegasus, Ponyville or elsewhere, every city was witness to the same moment. A towering figure appeared above their city, looking down at them from the night sky. Nightmare Moon stood over them all.

“Citizens of Equestria, awaken! It is time for you to meet your new ruler!” Her voice echoed through each town, jarring every pony from their slumber like an intruder invading their home. Nightmare Moon paused for only a moment or two, allowing some of her new subjects to step forth into her beautiful night. “Some of you doubtlessly recognize me. This is good. I am here to announce myself as your new ruler, Queen Moon of Equestria.”

Motioning behind her, Nightmare Moon continued. “Your former princess, Celestia, has willingly abdicated her throne to me, acknowledging me as her superior and as the rightful ruler of Equestria.” Celestia scowled behind her.

“There are probably a great number of horrific stories that have circulated about me, and I am here to push those rumors aside, my children. I love and care for each and every pony in the land, and only want what is best for all of you.

“One thing that you have doubtlessly heard is that I will banish the sun, keeping Equestria bathed in night eternally. How untrue! The sun is needed to grow our food and sustain our very lives, my ponies. I would never do such a thing.” Nightmare Moon smiled reassuringly. “However, I do feel that there needs to be some...adjusting to the everyday lives of ponies. As an example, businesses will now be closed during daylight hours, and open only at night. Yes, that will mean that ponies will have to adjust their schedules, staying up during my glorious night to live their lives, but there are many benefits to this plan. Not the least of them being that it will please me, your queen, to see my beloved subjects enjoying my night.”

In the magical projection in the sky across the land, Celestia could be seen behind Nightmare Moon on the ground, holding her leg, her eyes glaring at the midnight mare. Her face spoke volumes to each and every one of her subjects.

“Of course, you are all free ponies, and have the rights to do whatever it is that you feel is best for yourself and your community. But understand this: it is not good to upset your new queen. Celestia has learned this simple rule, and as an example to all of you, she will now be punished for her insolence from earlier. Please, watch.”

Nightmare Moon turned towards the prostrate princess, glaring down at her with a twisted smile on her face. “Don’t worry, Celestia, this won’t kill you. It will certainly hurt a great deal, though.”

Purple energy once again swirled around Nightmare Moon’s horn. Celestia stared at her, calmly pulling herself up to sit proudly in front of the mare, fear completely absent from her eyes. The smell of ozone filled the room as night-laden energy laced across the open air towards the stoic alicorn--only to have its path interrupted by a shield of blue light that placed itself directly in front of the princess.

Both Nightmare Moon and Celestia turned their head to see a small blue unicorn with a white mane staring with fury at the black alicorn, her hooves planted wide and her head down in a defensive posture.

“You will not harm the princess,” she said defiantly. “Not while The Great and Powerful Trixie still lives!”

The warmth of the room retreated from the stare that came from Nightmare Moon.

“So be it,” she said, and turned to face Trixie.

* * * * *

Twilight Sparkle galloped as fast as her legs would carry her. It was a long run, and she was exhausted, making this a definite challenge. What’s more, she heard sounds of violence and screams of pain coming from behind her, but she kept her head down and her focus forward, rushing to find her friends. Or more specifically, one of her friends.

She saw them all fly off, battered away by Celestia, but that was before she was whisked off to the temple and saved the princess from herself. Now, she was going to need help to stop Nightmare Moon.

“Come on! You have to be around here somewhere!” Talking to herself had become second habit. Sometimes it let her hear things that she missed when she just repeated them in her brain. Catch the flaws and the hidden gems in her thoughts. “And it doesn’t help that you mostly blend into the background right now.”

She ran on, her eyes scanning for signs of anypony, but specifically looking for a blue mane on the white of the ground. Rarity had to be around here somewhere.

A flash of color caught the corner of her eye. It was blue, but the wrong shade. “Second best choice,” Twilight said to herself as she ran over towards Rainbow Dash. 

The athletic pegasus was unconscious, but breathing. Twilight looked her over once, very quickly, trying to spot any obvious damage to her body. Nothing looked broken, and she didn’t have the time to be gentle. “Sorry about this Rainbow Dash.” She grimaced as she bent over and placed her horn near Dash’s head. Concentrating as hard as she could, she focused her energy through her horn and a lavender spark arced across the gap between her horn and Dash’s forehead. Immediately, the pegasus jumped up into the air and hovered there.

“What?! Where is she? I’m gonna--” She looked around and saw no pony nearby except Twilight. “Um, Twilight, what happened?”

“No time to explain! We saved Celestia--well, I did--but she knocked all of you out. Now she’s in trouble and we need to go save her...again. But I gotta find Rarity before I can do anything, and I’ve only been able to find you, and if we don’t find Rarity then Nightmare Moon is going to take over Equestria and we’ll all end up in the dungeon or as stuffed ponies in her personal museum of ponies that decided to fight against her that she stuffed,” Twilight wasn’t able to follow exactly what she said, but that didn’t stop her from saying it.

“Uh, right. You just kinda explained things after saying--”

“No time!” Twilight grabbed Dash by the withers. “You’ve got to go find Rarity!”

“Right!” Dash flew up in the air a little. “What do I do when I find her?”

“Let me know where she is, so I can run there,” she answered.

“Couldn’t you just do your teleport thingie?” Dash pondered.

“No! Not without Rarity, so I can’t very well teleport to Rarity before I can teleport, can I?”

“Y’know, you get kinda hard to follow when you are like this,” Dash commented.

“That’s for later! Rarity now!” Twilight’s eyes got wide and wild.

“Right!” Dash took to the air, flying up into the night sky, hoping to spot her friend.

Twilight, meanwhile, took a moment to wonder why she was having such a hard time explaining her situation to anypony. This would certainly merit a full study at a later date, when precise conditions and controls could be properly established. She looked up, watching Rainbow Dash criss-cross the sky, scanning below for some sign of Rarity. Suddenly, she banked hard to one side and then did a spinning loop, heading right back towards Twilight. She flew in and landed right in front of the unicorn.

“Get on!” Rainbow instructed.

“You want me to ride you?” Twilight asked, somewhat confused.

“Yeah, it’s quicker than you running the whole way, and this way I don’t have to give directions,” she explained, lowering her body to make it easier for Twilight to climb onto her back.

“Good thinking, Dash!” She jumped up onto her friend’s back, holding on as tight as she dared. “Let’s go!”

Before the words faded from the air, Rainbow Dash was in flight. “I saw Pinkie and AJ while I was flying, too. And Fluttershy can’t be too far off,” Rainbow Dash explained in flight.

“Good. As soon as you drop me off, go get them. Wake them up and bring them back. We all need to be back together. We have to be together to use the Elements.”

“Got it! I’ll send them towards you,” Dash answered. “Oh, and what is the plan, anyway?”

“Simple. We blast Nightmare Moon and save the world.”

“Ah, plan-A. Got it.”

They arrived. Rarity was lying unconscious, but appeared unharmed. Twilight jumped from Dash’s back even before the pegasus landed. “Back in a flash!” Dash flew off to find the others while Twilight turned her attention to Rarity.

“No time for subtlety.” Twilight leaned over and brought her horn directly into contact with Rarity’s. The smallest flash of light appeared at the tips of the two horns, and Rarity’s eyes opened with a start.

“Oh my!” She sat up, taking in her surroundings. “Twilight, I’m not sure we were successful in our attempt to free the princess.”

“We weren’t. I was. I’ll explain later. Really this time, and not like I did with Rainbow Dash. Right now I need your help,” Twilight said in rapid succession. 

“My help? Whatever can I do?” Rarity stated in confusion.

“You’re a unicorn!” Twilight explained.

There was a pause.

“I am well aware of my heritage, Twilight, darling. You are going to have to be a pinch more specific in your reasoning.”

“You can do magic,” Twilight stated.

“Not really,” Rarity said. “Of course I can do fundamental magic, but nothing complex. I’ve never properly studied magic.”

“I have,” Twilight said.

“Yes, we are all aware of your abilities, but I don’t see what hat has to do with me.”

“Right now I can’t do magic,” Twilight said. “I gave all my energy away when I saved Celestia. I need you to loan me some of your energy. Some of your magic.”

“Well, I certain have no issue with the concept, but I have no idea how to do it, darling,” Rarity said. 

“I do, but you’ll have to trust me and just let it happen. Can you do that?”

Rarity smiled. “I am rather well known for my giving nature.”

“Right.” Twilight stood there for a moment, and then slowed down. “Right. I’m sorry, but...well, the princess is in danger. Nightmare Moon is back and she--”

“Nightmare Moon?!” Rarity’s eyes shot wide. “She’s still alive? What about Trixie? Did you see her? Do you know what happened to her?”

“No, not yet. But she might be okay, too, I suppose,” Twilight answered.

“Well, what are you waiting for? How do I get you charged up?” Rarity motioned anxiously.

“Okay, this shouldn’t hurt, but you might feel some weird things. Sorry.” Twilight leaned forward and once again placed her and Rarity’s horns directly together at the tips. A glow of magic appeared at the apex, first a very faint lavender color, but the color slowly leached out to white.

“Wh-where am I?” Rarity asked. She was standing alone on a featureless white plane. Her heart raced and her eyes expanded as she spun around looking for any vantage point at all. “Hello? Is there anypony who can hear me?” Desperation creaked through every word.

“It’s okay, Rarity.” Twilight’s voice came from everywhere, stoic and calm. “You’re in the center of your magic. The heart of your own magic. You are perfectly safe.”

“Twilight? Twilight, what am I doing here? And what’s more, how did I get here?” She asked, hopeful for a simple answer.

“It’s part of the spell. Normally a pony doesn’t notice this part. You’re really in touch with who you are, Rarity. That’s special.”

“Of course I am, darling. How can I create something beautiful if I don’t know who I am.” 

“Well, that seems like a pretty simplistic answer, actually. There are plenty of artistic ponies that struggle all their life to find their own creative heart. And some of the best works ever done could be argued were about journeys of self-discovery.”

“Twilight,” Rarity tried to derail the conversation.

“In fact, I was just reading one of the longer works by Chantel Harp--under her pseudonym of Belle Papier, which she only used three times.”

“Twilight,” Rarity tried again.

“The whole point of the book was about a mare trying to discover her true self by leaving everything that she knew as a foal behind and reinventing herself in a new city. Which is ironic, considering that she wrote this novel under a different name.”

TWILIGHT!” Rarity’s voice echoed in the vast nothing and left a moment of silence behind. “Focus, darling.”

“I am focused.” Rarity spun around at the sound of her friend’s voice directly behind her. Twilight Sparkle stood there, smiling.

“What? I thought that this... You said I was inside my own magic or some such thing. How, pray tell, did you find your way here?”

“That’s the point of the spell,” Twilight answered. “It brought me to your magical center. It will let me tap into your magic to cast spells--for a little while, anyway. Which, of course, is how I was able to cast this spell.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Rarity stated. “How can you use my magic to tap into my magic.”

“Actually, that’s the only way it can be done. You have to let me into your inner sanctum of magic reserves by letting the flow of magic start from you. It gives me something to track back to. You can’t do this spell on anypony unwilling to let the other one in.”

“I see.” She stood there staring at Twilight for a moment. “What now? Please tell me that we aren’t going to have to have sex.”

Twilight recoiled. “What?! Um, no. No that isn’t part of this spell. A similar one, yes, it turns out. Found that out personally recently. Um, sorry.”

“No, no, dear. I’m grateful. I’m not much in the mood for that sort of thing. Besides, Trixie isn’t here, so...well, it’s complicated.”

“Oooo-kay. Well, why don’t we finish up this spell so we can go find Trixie and save the princess, then?”

“I simply adore this plan, darling. Let’s get right on it.” Rarity smiled.

Twilight nodded and spirals of color began to work their way back into Rarity’s world. At first, they were all vague blurs and smears, spinning and growing, merging together at the edges to form seams that started to stabilize the picture. After a few seconds shapes started to take form and sound exploded onto the scene.

“TWILIGHT!!” Applejack was shaking the pony violently.

“Applejack? Calm down. What are you doing?” Twilight responded. She glanced about quickly and saw the rest of her circle of friends immediately nearby, staring at both her and Rarity.

“You had us plum scared there, Twi,” Applejack explained. “When we all got here, you an’ Rarity was tied up at the horns and glowin’ somethin’ fierce. Dash and I tried to pull you two apart but couldn’t make no headway ‘til about a minute ago when you just popped away from each other. After that, I was just scared and tryin’ to get your attention.”

“What? How long were we out?” Twilight asked.

“Beats me,” Rainbow Dash said, “but I left you here about fifteen minutes ago.”

Twilight’s eyes bulged. “Fifteen minutes! Oh my gosh! We’ve got to hurry. The princess and Nightmare Moon have been alone together for way too long. We need to get in there and save the princess. Who knows what could have happened?”

“Is this normal princess or super-duper-scary princess?” Pinkie asked.

“Normal. The other princess got...cured. She’s our princess again.”

“Oh, well, good!” Pinkie beamed. “Then we know who to whammy when our whammy moment comes.’

“And we have to be ready to do it together,” Twilight explained. “I would hate to think of anypony having to face off against Nightmare Moon by herself.”

* * * * *

Trixie’s body smashed into the massive marble column of the temple with an audible thud. She fell to the ground, and picked herself up once more. The pain in her side told her that there was at least some cracked ribs from the impact, and she hoped that was all.

“Trixie!” Celestia reached out to the pony with her voice. She struggled to stand, her leg keeping her in place on the lush red pillows of her bed. “You’ve got to run!”

“No!” She steadied herself, her horn glowing blue once more as she used her own magical power to reinforce her body, crafting a shell not unlike a cast on her left foreleg. “I will not abandon you to her. She will fall. I swear it!”

“Oh, how I do love false bravado,” Nightmare Moon casually walked around the room with a wicked grin, her eyes focused on Trixie. “I have already humbled Celestia, and you think that you will defeat me. It’s quaint, actually.”

“Leave her alone!” Celestia cried out, pleading to Nightmare Moon. “This is between you and I. I will do whatever you ask, just don’t hurt her. Leave the citizens of Equestria out of this.”

“You don’t understand, princess. Neither of you do,” Trixie stepped forward, her left leg limping slightly despite her best efforts. “Truthfully, I didn’t either. Not until my recent bout with power. The ponies of Equestria will never bow down to you, Nightmare Moon. You will never rule over any of them. Fear does not create loyalty. Trixie understands that now. I will fight you with my last breath to defend Princess Celestia, and I will not be the last.”

“And why would you throw away your life so casually, my pet?” Nightmare Moon snickered as she spoke. “It will gain you nothing.”

“I have already gained more than I hoped,” she answered. A bolt of energy shot from her horn, slicing towards Nightmare Moon. The dark mare effortlessly brushed it aside with her own horn, sending it into one of the columns that comprised the shell of the temple. The midnight blue power of Nightmare Moon casually flashed out, smashing into Trixie once more, launching her into the air. She hovered momentarily, trying to catch herself with her magic, but she was only able to soften her fall.

“Luna...Nightmare Moon, please, I beg you. Don’t do this. I submit. I fully surrender my throne to you. I will let you do anything you wish to me. Please, please just don’t do this.” Tears raced down Celestia’s face as she begged for the other pony’s life. 

“Oh, it’s a little too late for that, Celestia,” Nightmare Moon stated. “She’s right. Unless I make a proper example of her right now there will always be rebellion. I must show the ponies of Equestria what it means to defy me.”

Across Equestria the ponies watched in horror. The magical projection that Nightmare Moon began to announce her intentions continued. Mothers turned their foal’s faces away from the violence, attempting to spare them from what they knew was coming. Stallions stood impatiently, unable to act and frightened for the poor unicorn they watched. 

Only in Canterlot did ponies take action. Forces rallied, ready to defend the capital against the possible intruder. Special forces rolled out, pegasus soldiers taking flight in an attempt to spot the battle while unicorn spies tried to track the magical power being unleashed. But the majority of them did the same thing that everypony else did: they watched.

“Do not kill her!” Celestia dragged herself forward on her two forelegs, dragging the broken limb behind her. “I won’t let you!”

“You have no say in the matter,” Nightmare Moon laughed at the hobbled pony. “And do not fear, I won’t be killing the poor beast. But I will have her on the ground sobbing and begging for her life.” She turned and looked at Celestia. “Much like I already have you doing.”

Celestia’s eyes turned cold gazing up at the black mare. She stopped crawling and rose up, bringing her head as high as she could. With the height of the bed’s platform, she almost looked Nightmare Moon evenly in the eye. Silently she stared, even as Nightmare Moon turned away towards the blue unicorn once more.

Struggling once again to gain her hooves, Trixie suddenly found herself yanked into the air, a ring of energy surrounding her throat. Her forehooves reached to the constraining magic, trying to pull it off and release her, or at the very least let more air into her lungs. She floated through the air, moved by the magic that constrained her, stopping directly in front of Nightmare Moon.

“Tell me, Trixie, my pet, what was it that you hoped to accomplish? I have already defeated you when you were far more capable, and I have quashed the mighty Celestia. What hope did you really have?”

“There...is...always...” A beam of energy burst from Trixie’s horn and caught Nightmare Moon squarely in the face, surprising the mare and sending her flying backwards, releasing her hold on Trixie, who fell to the ground limply. “...hope.”

The unicorn brought her hoof up to her neck, rubbing the rough area that was just strangled by magic. She was still regaining her senses when she felt a massive weight pressing her into the ground. A magical force pushed her into the cold marble floor, and as she struggled to move against it, a metallic-shoed hoof pressed down against the side of her head, driving it into the ground.

“That...was a serious mistake.” A scorch mark loomed on Nightmare Moon’s face as she scowled down at Trixie. She ground her hoof against the flesh, bringing another level of pain to the pony.

“You said you weren’t going to kill her,” Celestia’s voice remained cold and direct at Nightmare Moon. “Do you want all of the ponies of Equestria to see that? To have her as a symbol of rebellion?”

Nightmare Moon’s eyes shifted towards Celestia, even though her head remained pointed at Trixie. A flash of midnight filled the chamber and then was drawn back into Nightmare Moon. “None of Equestria is seeing anything any longer. I will have to resume our...conversation...with them after I have dealt with this small annoyance.”

“Trixie?” Rarity’s voice cracked as she saw what was happening to her beloved.

Nightmare Moon slowly turned her head to the left, looking at the sextet of ponies who had just stepped past the columns of the temple and onto the white polished flooring. “Ah, the heroes have arrived at last,” her voice dripped, “I suppose this is as good a time as any to deal with you six.”

“You get your hoof off of her!” Rainbow Dash rushed forward, aiming for the leg that was pushing against Trixie. Faster than her eye could follow, she felt something slam into her and drive her back away from her target. Nightmare Moon’s wing pulled back to her side, having brushed aside the assaulting pegasus with a simple sweep.

“Truth be told, she is of little consequence,” Nightmare Moon pushed Trixie away, sliding her across the room and into the raised bed platform. “You six, however, are an actual threat. At least when you are all together.”

“And we’re going to put a stop to you, again,” Twilight stated. She concentrated, channeling magic to her horn for an unknown purpose--and nothing happened. Twilight felt no flow of magic, and turned to her friend to find out why. “Rarity?”

The white unicorn was focused on the unsteady form of her lover, as Trixie once more struggled to find a way to stand. Rarity was visibly shaken, concerned for her one special somepony and not paying attention to the danger standing in front of her.

“Rarity! I need you! You’ve got to help us,” Twilight stepped up to Rarity, bringing the unicorn’s attention back to the immediate concern.

“What? Oh, I...of course, darling. Do what you will. I’m ready now,” Rarity said, trying to remain on task.

“Oh, I don’t think so. Cut off the head, and the body dies. And it is very clear who the head of this problem truly is, Twilight Sparkle. Good-bye,” Nightmare Moon said.

Two things happened simultaneously. A rumble of clouds in the sky heralded the lightning that struck down. Several strokes of blue power streaking from the sky, focusing on the body of Twilight Sparkle. And as they did, a blue flash of light signaled the teleportation of Trixie, who placed herself in front of Twilight, taking the devastating attack to herself.

The smell of burning hair attacked the nostrils of the nearby ponies as Trixie fell to the ground with a sickening thud. In an instant, Rarity was there, cradling her lover and looking into her face.

“Trixie!” Rarity was in a panic. “Trixie, say something!”

Her eyes flickered open and beheld the faces of Rarity and Twilight Sparkle staring down at her. She looked over at Twilight and smiled.

“Trixie,” Twilight said softly, “that was...”

“Great and powerful,” she finished for her. The unicorn’s breath was very labored.

“But why?” Twilight asked.

“Because...you are...needed to...stop her,” she explained. “I was...always...just a delaying tactic...until you could arrive.” Her eyes shifted over to Rarity, who still cradled her gently, her hoof stroking the mare’s mane. “Rarity....”

“Don’t talk, my love. Everything will be just fine. Don’t worry. I’m here now,” Rarity fought through tears.

“I...have to,” Trixie said weakly, every word a struggle to get out. “If I...don’t...I might...not get the...chance to...tell you...that I...love...”

The lifeless form slumped in Rarity’s grasp. A final rattle of breath escaping her lungs as Trixie left the world of the living. A cry of disbelief broke from Fluttershy and a gasp escaped from both Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

Rarity opened her mouth silently, staring down as tears began to stream down her face. Finally, words came out in a rush. “No. No, Trixie. No, please, darling. Wake up. Wake up, please.”

“What a shame,” Nightmare Moon stated coldly, “I truly did intend to keep her as a pet.” She turned her eye towards Twilight once again. “Oh well, at least she will have company very soon.”

“I do not think so!” The massive wings of Celestia beat, raising the alicorn up high enough for her to wrap her forelegs around the head and neck of Nightmare Moon, pulling her back onto her legs as though she was rearing up. The sun goddess continued to flap her wings, forcing Nightmare Moon back further and further.

“What?!” Nightmare Moon was visibly shocked. “This is not possible! Your leg is shattered. You have no magic. Your wings are not capable of supporting your weight without the magic. You are helpless!”

“I am far from helpless. You never understood. It isn’t magic that makes me their princess, it is the love that I have for them, and that gives me strength far greater than anything else!” Celestia chided the other alicorn.

“Not greater than me!” Nightmare Moon snarled and summoned magic to her horn--unsuccessfully. “What? How?”

No more. Never again. A familiar voice echoed through the room.

Celestia smiled. “Thank you, Luna,” she said to no pony, and then turned her attention back to Nightmare Moon. “And now you see that Luna’s love is greater than you are, as well.”

“You cannot hold me forever! I will still crush you and these other ponies!”

“I don’t need to hold you forever. Twilight! Now!” Celestia cried to her prized pupil.

“Rarity!” Twilight turned to the weeping unicorn. “We need you. Please.”

She brought her head up from the body of Trixie, her makeup running down her face with a torrent of tears. There was no sadness in Rarity’s expression, though, only rage. Her lip curled up as she spoke, “you need my magic, Twilight? You have it. You will have more power than you will ever need. Girls, let’s take this bitch down.”

Rarity’s eyes turned white in a display of power, and that energy arced from her to Applejack, then to Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and finally to Twilight Sparkle before completing the loop back to her. They rose up as one, and with a flash of kaleidoscopic might, six individual beams of color arced up into the room, swirling around each other and intertwining before becoming a single rainbow of energy that struck down onto the two grappling alicorns.

Celestia was sent flying backwards, causing her to land awkwardly on the smooth floor, and eliciting a sharp cry of pain where her shattered leg hit the stone. The light that struck Nightmare Moon was blinding, and no pony could see exactly what happened inside that glow. The six ponies possessing the Elements of Harmony floated back to the ground, staring across at the figure that was still aglow with the energy that struck her. Slowly, it faded away to reveal a single form standing in the room.

Nightmare Moon stood there, her head bowed and her eyes closed.

“No....” Twilight gasped at the pony. The alicorn raised her head, opened her eyes and looked over at Twilight and her friends, scanning them one-by-one. “A-again! Let’s do it again!” Twilight said in terror.

“No,” Pinkie Pie said softly. “No, look Twilight. Look at her eyes.”

They all looked. The predatory slit of Nightmare Moon’s pupil was gone, replaced by the full, round pupil of a normal pony.

“P-princess Luna?” Twilight asked hopefully.

“Yes, Twilight. We are returned,” she said solemnly. 

“But...you still look like....”

“That is because I am she, as well.”

There was a silence.

“Ah don’t get it,” Applejack said. “Are you the princess, or are you that snake in the grass, Nightmare Moon?”

“I am both. I always have been. But now I am prepared to accept that fact,” she stated. “You were able to bring both of my selves back into harmony. Nightmare Moon is all that is dark inside me. All the fear and hate, the rage and the jealousy, everything that I do not want to be. The scrolls brought that out of me and gave it life, but you and the Elements of Harmony have returned me--made me whole. Now I must deal with my dark side like everypony else.”

“So...what do we call you?” Pinkie Pie cocked her head to the side.

“Princess Luna. That was always our name, and we would prefer to keep it, if you will let me,” she stated calmly.

“Luna?” Celestia’s voice creaked up as the princess sat up, regaining her own senses. “Luna, is that you? Truly you?”

“It is, Tia,” she smiled back at her sister. “But I wouldn’t be if you hadn’t believed in me.”

“I do far more than just that, Luna. Far more.” Tears of joy washed down Celestia’s face, even as a heavy sob drew the attention away from her and back to the other white pony in the room.

Rarity sat there slumped over the body of Trixie, tears washing down her face and onto the coat of her fallen love. The five closest friends she had in the world moved behind her, circling her and placing a forehoof each onto her shoulder in support. She couldn’t feel them. She couldn’t feel anything except pain at the moment. Luna stepped up to her, an expression of sorrow almost as deep etched onto her face.

“Rarity,” she said softly, “is there anything that I can--”

The white unicorn’s head shot up, daggers flying from her eyes as she stared down Luna. “Get away from her!” she spat. “Haven’t you already done enough?!”

Luna paused, looking at the anger and pain personified that stared back up at her. She wanted to explain, to make her understand, but there were no words. A look of resolution fell upon her. “No, Rarity, I have not.”

She bent down, energy swelling at the tip of her horn as she placed it onto the chest of Trixie. 

“Luna! NO!” Celestia shouted from behind her, but it was too late. A flash of midnight energy took away the vision of almost everypony in the room. Only Luna and Celestia could see what happened. The other six ponies were forced to turn away from the power that was displayed.

It took a moment for the light to dim, and even longer for the ponies to turn back towards what happened. Until they were drawn back by a single voice.

“R-Rarity?” A weak voice called out from the pony’s lap. 

All six ponies turned back around to see the eyes of The Great and Powerful Trixie slowly blink open, staring up into the face of Rarity.

“Trixie? TRIXIE?!” Rarity’s hooves began to brush along the face of the pony in disbelief.

“I was wanting to tell you something, Rarity,” she said slowly. “Trixie loves you. With all of my heart, I truly love you.”

Tears once again flowed from the unicorn, and they were echoed by the eyes of five other ponies in the room, who all stood in disbelief of what had just happened.

“And I love you, darling. Moreso than I ever realized, I love you!” Rarity fell into an embrace, tightly pulling the mare against her. Kissing the side of her head over and over again.

“That is quite pleasant, Rarity, but...I really think I need to sleep. I feel awful,” Trixie stated.

Wordlessly, Luna turned and started to leave. She hadn’t made it six steps before Twilight Sparkle ran up beside her. “Princess, that was...amazing. What--how did you do that?”

Luna looked down at the unicorn, a forced smile crossing her face. “There is a reason that we are called goddess, Twilight.” She turned back and continued to walk slowly away, leaving Twilight to ponder her words.

Celestia hung her head, tears streaming down her face. 


Epilogue One:

“I cannot thank you enough my kind host,
I promise to be out in a month at the most.”

Zecora walked up from the basement after having set up a cot and moving what few personal possessions she had left down there. 

“It’s the least that I can do,” Twilight answered, her horn glowing as she moved to plates through the air. A few nights rest and her magic reserves were pretty much back to normal. “I knew there was a chance that your house got hit by...the accident, but to lose everything like that must be really tough.”	

“It isn’t easy to take, that’s for sure,
but I haven’t lost all, my life is secure.
And it is better to live, continue, and rebuild
than to be another name on memory hill.”

Twilight moved over to her dining table, setting down the two plates of food that she had prepared. Spike was over at the Carousel Boutique, house watching for Rarity, and that left her alone to fend for herself for a few days.

“And don’t worry about the time, Zecora. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want,” Twilight smiled, reassuringly. “Now, I’m not a great cook, but...dinner is ready.” She made a slight flourish with her hoof as she presented the food.

Zecora laughed and took her place at the table. A daisy sandwich with a side of hay fries waited on the plate. 

“I disagree. It looks very good, rather tasty,
and with my growling tummy it should go rather hastily.”

Twilight sat across from her and levitated the sandwich up and took a big bite. This was one of the few things that she could make that didn’t bring the fire department running to her kitchen, so she made it quite often. She hoped that Zecora didn’t have an issue with that.

“So, let me see if I got this right,” Twilight began between bites, “you thought that the girls and I were going to fail in our quest, right? But we didn’t. Everything turned out just fine. So, your vision was wrong.”

“But you did fail, Twilight, don’t you see,
the evil you fought out there still runs free.”

“No, no, you’re wrong,” she chewed quickly so she could continue. “We hit Luna with the Elements and got rid of Nightmare Moon, and both Trixie and Celestia had already lost their whacked out power levels before that. Everypony is better. We won.”

“Nightmare Moon is not gone from the world.
She lives on in her host, their souls now curled.”

Zecora spoke with no malice or fear, but with definite clarity of vision.

Twilight shook her head. “It’s not like that. Well, I guess maybe it is, but....” She swallowed another bite of her sandwich. “Okay, Luna saved Trixie. If she was something evil it would have been the easiest thing to do nothing and just let her...well, it would have been easy to do nothing.”

Zecora nodded in agreement and then made her closing statement.

“Time will tell my friend, and I hope you are right,
for if she is still a fiend, then we are in for a blight.”

Twilight and Zecora sat there silently for a long moment, each eating their dinner in thought. The potential for Luna to regress was there, Twilight supposed, but that seemed so impossible. It wasn’t the way she acted earlier, and actions spoke louder than words, right? She shook her head, clearing the thoughts out. She didn’t want to think about that right now.

“Still feeling a bit woozy, are you dear?
It will pass in due time, have no fear.
If you would like, perhaps I can help you to move past,
and provide you with memories that will hopefully last.”

Her eyes shifted first left and then right as Zecora’s words ran around in her head. She looked across the table at the zebra who stared back with half-lidded eyes.

“Um, I-I’m not sure that I follow you, Zecora.” Twilight said slowly.

“Then let me be plain to you and give it a shot,
What I really want is another chance at your plot.”

Zecora smiled smoothly, tilting her head seductively as she looked at the unicorn. Twilight in return blinked twice, making sure she heard correctly. She opened her mouth to say something, and then closed it before any words came out. She looked back across the table at the exotic pony. The curve of her neck with the gold rings on it. How straight and sharp her mane stood up from her body. And of course, those stripes, which traced all over her body and....

“I’ll race you upstairs,” Twilight jumped from her chair and bolted up towards her loft bedroom. Zecora laughed softly, and slowly stood from the chair and walked up the steps towards the anxiously awaiting pony.


Epilogue Two:

Trixie moaned softly as she opened her eyes. “Wh-where am I?” 

She looked around the room, not recognizing a single piece of furniture or decoration. The bedroom was huge, far larger than anything she had ever slept in before. And the bed itself competed for dominance of the room against everything else combined. Four huge posts towered up towards the high, lofted ceiling. Drapes of blue and white laid over the posts, providing a sheer canopy above to diffuse the light, leaving the bed with an open feeling, while still being very intimate.

Furniture was everywhere. Chaise lounges, sofas, chairs, desks, bureaus and more all lined the walls or sat organized in the middle of the room. The bedroom seemed to be only one room of the dwelling, too, as there was an archway clearly leading to another space. Trixie counted at least six windows to the room, in addition to the large glass-paned door that stood only a short distance away, leading--it seemed--to a balcony of some sort. From the angle of the light that poured into the room, she guessed that it was probably late afternoon.

She put her forehooves down and tried to push herself up to a sitting position so that she could get a better look around. “Aaaaah!” she cried out reflexively, her body rejecting that idea immediately. 

Appearing from the archway, Rarity all but galloped into the room. “Darling!” She rushed over to Trixie’s bed. “Take it easy. Lie down. I’m glad to see you awake. The doctors say that you will be very weak and rather sore for a while. No concerns. I am here to take care of you.”

“Rarity?” Trixie smiled. “Trixie is very happy to see you, but I have to ask: where exactly am I seeing you?”

“This is called the Noblesse Tower. It’s a separate part of the Royal Equestrian Arms hotel in Canterlot,” she smiled. “And I have to say, I am very impressed with the level of service they provide. They do so understand how best to pamper a mare.”

Looking around, Trixie tried to imagine a scenario that put her here, but came up empty. “And...why are we here?”

Reaching over, Rarity brushed the slight curl of Trixie’s mane from her forehead. “Tell me, Trixie dear, how much do you remember of what happened?”

She thought, tracing back through recent memories. “I--it seems rather clouded, actually. I remember---oh, Rarity. I remember transforming into a horrible monster. Please, tell me that I didn’t do anything to you.”

“No, no,” Rarity said reassuringly, “you never touched me, darling. Everything is fine.”

“But Twilight! I did horrible things to Twilight Sparkle. Oh, no.” Trixie swallowed hard. “Will you be able to forgive Trixie for what she did?”

“Of course. And so has Twilight. And I’m sure she’ll be happy to say that to you herself.”

“Oh, and I fought the princesses. Both of them. They must be enraged,” Trixie looked concerned.

“Actually, they are the ones that put you up here. They want to make sure that you get the best care. And thought it perhaps best that you not be at the castle right now. What with everything else that is happening.”

Rarity moved from the bed and went over to fetch a wheelchair that was nearby, rolling it over to sit next to the large mattress. Like everything else in the room, the wheelchair seemed to be crafted for opulence, with gold and silver highlights adorning the entire thing.

“What is that for? Trixie doesn’t need a wheelchair to move about. I am fully capable of--” She moved again, and felt the pain shoot through her entire body, cutting off her own sentence. She fell back onto the bed. “Or perhaps I might rest a bit longer.”

“You are going to get plenty of rest, but I want to try to get you out of that bed for at least a few minutes,” Rarity said. “Do you remember the bit with Celestia and Nightmare Moon?”

Trixie’s eyes opened wide. “Yes,” she said softly as the images came back to her. “The princess was injured and Nightmare Moon was ready to--well, Trixie doesn’t know what. I stepped in and battled her, rather unsuccessfully as I remember.”

“Of course it was, darling. Give me your hoof.” Rarity began to move the injured mare out of the bed and onto the chair.

“It was a failed moment in the life of The Great and Powerful Trixie!” Rarity’s calm dismissal of her nadir upset the blue unicorn. “And be careful! My body doesn’t seem very happy with me right now.”

“I would imagine not,” Rarity said, using her magic to hoist the unicorn out of the bed and onto the chair. “Upsy-daisy!”

“Do not patronize me, Rarity! Trixie has her pride, you know,” she protested. 

“I know you do, darling.” Pushing the wheelchair away from the bed, Rarity used her magic to open the twin glass-pane doors that led out onto the balcony.

“I don’t feel like getting any air right now. And this chair is uncomfortable. What are you doing?” Trixie protested everything.

“Trixie, darling,” Rarity looked into her love’s eyes and explained, “please do be quiet for a moment--and listen.”

She rolled the chair up to the edge of the railing, letting Trixie see over and beyond it.

“There she is!” an undetermined voice shouted from below.

Trixie stared over the railing, her mouth hanging open as she took in the sight. Hundreds, if not thousands, of ponies were gathered on the street below, all of them staring up at the balcony where she sat. A deafening roar filled the air as all of the ponies cheered as one at the arrival of the single figure they all came to see.

“Wh-what is this?” Trixie stammered.

“They saw you battle Nightmare Moon, darling. They watched you defend Celestia from her attack. Putting yourself in harm’s way to save her life. You aren’t a failure, Trixie, my love,” Rarity smiled, “you’re a hero.”

The crowd didn’t slow. Trixie saw signs held aloft with her name on them, images of her face on others. They cheered at her, a cacophony of praise that she couldn’t decipher, but understood clearly. Not knowing what else to do, she raised her hoof and waved at them.

Rarity bent down and kissed the pony on the cheek. “I love you, darling. And so do they. They’ve been here like this since we got back a week ago.”

Trixie turned to look at Rarity, her eyes welling with tears. “And I love you, Rarity. So very, very much.”

The two unicorns smiled warmly, looking at each other, as the crowd began to chant Trixie’s name.


Epilogue Three:

Luna walked towards the large dining table that she shared with her sister. Alone. With every step she took, another pony took two steps in another direction, moving away from her. Her large, black frame was the exact image of Nightmare Moon--except for the helmet, which she chose not to wear, hoping to alleviate some of the fears. So far, it wasn’t working.

One of the royal assistants pulled out her chair awkwardly, as though wanting to run away before the princess even sat down. With a casual nod she dismissed him from the table. And he did run away.

The table was mostly empty--at least on her side. A slight selection of food littered her area, all of it just out of hoof’s reach. The other side--Celestia’s side--was adorned with large quantities of food. Lush vegetable displays and lovely pastries stacked on a golden serving platters. She looked down at the silver dome that covered her dining plate and pondered what was beneath it. Before she could move it, Celestia arrived.

“I am so sorry, Luna,” she said, rushing in to take her chair, which was graciously pulled out and replaced by three royal assistants. “It has been a rather hectic day. So much to be taken care of.”

“Of course. No concerns, Tia.” For the past week there had been no duties for her. No court to handle at night. No ponies coming to her for aid or guidance. No ponies wanting to talk to her at all. “How quickly things change....”

“What was that?” Celestia asked as she surveyed the food. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes, sister. Don’t worry. How is your leg? Healing well?” Luna asked.

Celestia nodded. “It is hurting less and less each day. The doctors are doing an excellent job. And the return of my magic has helped a great deal. Thank you for that, again.”

Luna was able to draw the magic block that was placed on her sister out, but only after another painful insertion of her horn into the area to directly cancel it. She could still remember the tears of pain that fell from Celestia’s face.

“How was your day?” Luna buried her problems.

“As I said, hectic. Far too many diplomats and visitors for my taste. I know they mean well, but I do have a country to run. Well wishes and concerns for my health are all fine and good, but they can get in the way of duty.”

“I imagine so,” Luna smiled weakly. “Any news?”

“Um, I’m afraid there is some bad news, Luna. The last of your ministers turned in his resignation today,” Celestia winced. “I was furious with him. I cannot believe that he would leave you so--”

Luna raised her hoof, stopping her sister. “It is all right, Celestia. I expected nothing less. Only my personal guards have remained loyal. They even asked if I would like for them to hunt down and punish the ministers and advisors that left without notice.”

Celestia shook her head. “Misguided, but loyal. I give them that.”

“I haven’t given them an answer yet,” Luna said, smiling.

Celestia blinked. “I do hope you are joking, sister.” The only reply was a steady smile from the black alicorn.

“Why don’t we eat?” Luna suggested, and Celestia politely nodded. Nearby unicorns lifted the silver and gold domes, respectively, from in front of the two princesses. 

Celestia looked down at an impressive and intricately crafted meal. Tiny leaves, fresh and delicate, had been harvested from various plants in the royal garden and carefully placed in a pattern that grew to resemble a gigantic rose bloom, growing it seemed from the plate itself. The delicate aroma of rosemary and lavender wafted up to Celestia, causing her mouth to water instantly.

“So beautiful,” she said. “The chef certainly seems to have outdone himself today, Luna, I--” She looked across the table at her sister, who hung her head slightly, her eyes closed. Looking down, she saw a single thing sitting on her plate: a banana.

“A banana?” Celestia stated. “Luna, did you ask for the chef to bring you that?”

“No,” she said in a low voice. “It’s a commentary, Tia. Based on a joke that made its round when I first returned.” 

“What joke? I haven’t heard of it,” Celestia said in seriousness.

“There are no bananas on the moon, sister.” She looked up at Celestia, fighting back tears. “They want you to send me back.”

Any expression of happiness left Celestia’s face. “Guard!” She turned to the nearest of her royal attache. “Find who did this! I want them brought before me IMMEDIATELY!”

A curt nod was the only response, and he and two others rushed away from the table.

“There is no point, Tia,” Luna said. “No pony will be found. Whoever did this will be protected by others.”

“Then we will rid ourselves of all of them!” Celestia stated. “They cannot do this to you!”

Luna stood from the table, looking down at the ground. “Perhaps it would be best if I just left, quietly.”

Celestia bolted from her chair, reaching her sister in seconds. “No! I will not allow these foals to drive you away. This is your home, Luna. They are wrong and will be released from duty if they do not understand that.”

“Are they?” Luna looked into her sister’s eyes. “They are only protecting you, Tia. They saw what I did to you, and they are very angry about it. And I don’t blame them.”

“But that wasn’t you! That was another being completely,” Celestia pleaded.

“No, it wasn’t,” Luna said. “That WAS me. You told Nightmare Moon that I was inside her and you were right, but you have to understand that it works both ways. She is inside me. We are the same being. All the things that I said and did came from inside me. At some level I want to do those things. They are right to fear me. You should, too.”

Celestia stood next to her sister, gazing into her eyes. Eyes that were filled with pain and remorse, and more than a hint of fear. There was only one course of action.

She bent down and kissed Luna deeply on the mouth. The kiss lingered for more than a few seconds, as Celestia brought her hoof up to grasp the back of Luna’s neck to hold her closer.

An audible gasp came from several ponies in the area, and the sound of a plate being dropped and shattering was clearly heard. And through it all, Celestia maintained the kiss with Luna. Her lips held onto her sister’s with deep, pure passion, pouring all that she had into that one moment.

Finally, they pulled apart, their eyes open and looking directly into each other.

“Tia, what are you doing?” Luna asked softly. “The scandal that will follow this is--”

“I don’t care,” Celestia cut her off. “I love you, and everypony can talk about it from now until eternity and it will not make a difference. I will not hide my feelings for you any longer.”

Luna paused, unsure of what to do, but the look in Celestia’s eyes told her everything. She leaned forward and nuzzled her sister. “Thank you, Tia. I love you, too.” 

“Besides,” Celestia smiled, “in a few hundred years they will think of this as the natural order of things.”

Luna looked up at her sister. “But I don’t have a few hundred years any more, sister.”

“We don’t know that!” Celestia protested. 

“I do,” Luna smiled softly. “It was my choice, Tia. I chose to trade my immortality for Trixie’s life. You know the rules as well as I do. Death will come for me.”

“I will not surrender you so easily,” Celestia stated passionately. “When Death comes, she will know what it is like to battle an angry goddess. I will save you. I swear it.”

Luna smiled, knowing the truth inside. She didn’t know how much longer she had to spend with her sister, but then, what mortal pony did know how long they had? It wasn’t about the length of time spent together, but the quality of that time, and she decided to make the most of whatever time they had left.

“Come sister,” Celestia said, “it is time to lower the sun and raise the moon. We can eat later. I was thinking of maybe having some food sent up to our room after a little while. I imagine that we will have worked up quite an appetite by then.”

Luna smiled playfully. “You are such a tease. I might have to punish you for that.”

“Promises, promises.” 



The End