LUNA

Luna had expected her sister to equivocate. You can do this, Luna, but stay away from that. Tia had control issues, Luna knew. But not today. Today, Tia had simply tossed the reins of rulership to Luna, trotted away and not looked back.

Tia! Luna had wanted to call after her sister. But then Luna had thought proudly, Neigh! We are the Queen of a Thousand Years! We are wise! We shall command!

Princess Luna rose, at last, the rightful ruler of the Realm Undying. She spread her wings across the throne room of Canterlot and gloated.

Now at last it comes! Thee gives Us Equestria freely! And in place of the Bright Solar Princess thee would set up a Dark Lunar Queen. But We shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Day and the Night! Fair as the Moon and Stars and the Sun upon the Mountains! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! As treacherous as the Sea! Stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love Us and despair!

“Um, Your Highness?” asked Flash Sentry, standing at the foot of her throne.

Princess Luna, startled, looked down. “Yes?”

The pegasus guard fluttered his wings nervously. “Hi,” he said, embarrassed.

“WHO ARE YOU? AND WHAT DO YOU FEAR?” cried Princess Luna, in the Traditional Canterlot Voice.

The pegasus guard shied back. “I am Captain Flash Sentry, Your Highness. I am substituting for Captain Bucephalus today. And I fear… I fear I will screw things up for you… for thee today. Today, when you… thee most need support.”

Princess Luna sniffed. “Does’t thou imagine that We require thy encouragement? We sniff at thee! Sniff, We say!”

Flash Sentry fumbled with a scroll. “Well, Captain Bucephalus left me this list…”

Princess Luna snatched at the scroll and studied it furiously. Luna recognized Captain Bucephalus’s meticulous writing at once.

First, know this, said the scroll. Her heart is great. She hides this, to protect Herself. She encourages even the weakest of Her stars to shine and sings to them all. She is the shepherdess of the sky.

Second, She is private. I think Her love for Her ponies is so strong, that it hurts Her and She becomes overwhelmed in crowds. Be mindful of Her at all times! Give Her peace! Distract Her if She appears nervous. Games and puzzles please Her. She has a cunning mind.

Third, carry bottles of water for Her. And a few oat cakes as well. She is so careless of Her health. Again, be mindful of Her.

Fourth, understand this: I want nothing but to always be at Her side. I give Her to your keeping for this one day. This. One. Day. Hurt Her, and you will never again know a moment’s peace. This is not a threat, but a simple statement of truth.

Fifth and last: be kind to Her, I beg you. She will reward your kindness ten thousand-fold.

Signed — CPT Bucephalus, Commander of the Lunar Guard, Royal Army, Equestria.

Princess Luna studied the scroll for a moment. Then she silently gathered the scroll and set it beside her throne.

“Captain… excuse me, Commander Sentry, how may We assist thee, today?” said Princess Luna quietly.

“Your Highness, the courier from Ponyville delivered these packets this morning. They are still waiting for your reply. If it’s okay,” added Flash Sentry, cautiously.

“Hmmm,” said Princess Luna. “We will consider these. We have a fondness for Ponyville and care for its citizens.”

Luna examined the first packet. “What madness is this?! The Summer Sun Celebration in Ponyville and We are not invited! Such arrogance! We sniff at Ponyville! Sniff, we… wait—!”

Luna’s eyes softened. “Instead, a Moon-viewing ceremony in Autumn, before the Running of the Leaves, when Our Moon is full and the colors of the Equestrian woods are in grand display, is proposed. Games of skill by day, races and contests, for Our favor. And then, by night, beneath the trees, quiet conversation and camaraderie, in elegant dress and courtly manner, as in the Old Times. Oh, this pleases Us. This pleases Us greatly! Our heart aches to see it!”

Luna examined the packet’s signature. FV, on behalf of the Honorable Mayor of Ponyville.

“Marigold,” Luna sighed. She looked sharply at Commander Sentry. “The courier from Ponyville, does she still await Our reply?”

“I think so, Your Highness,” said Flash Sentry. “But she looked a little antsy.”

“Then We charge her with Our response: ‘Yes, Sister. With bells on.’ Then let her be on her way, to deliver this missive without fail.”

“‘With bells on,’ Your Highness?” asked Flash Sentry, puzzled.

“ARE THEE DEAF? WE SHALL WEAR BEL—!” Princess Luna interrupted herself. “We shall attend, of a certainty, and We believe that We shall wear bells, Commander. Please convey Our message on.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Flash Sentry galloped away, then leapt into flight.

Luna considered the packet from Ponyville. I am the Queen of a Thousand Years, yet I feel new born! O, my Sisters!

***

THUNDERLANE

If Rumble doesn’t do as he’s told, I’ll kick his ass! thought Thunderlane, as he fought down out of the clouds towards the land. Winds, rain and hail barred his path, but he muscled through them. Don’t be stupid, bro. Follow the girls.

Heh! Like he needed to be told that!

Be safe, Thunderlane thought seriously, as he dove into the storm.

Thunderlane reckoned he was south and west of Ponville. He threw himself furiously against the winds. The storm cell kept trying to herd him towards Ghastly Gorge, but he had no interest there. The winds snatched at his mane, but he put his head down and charged. Don’t even try to stop me now, he thought, exhilarated. He threw his head back and cried, defiantly, “THUNDERLAAAAAAANE! BOOM YA!”

And then, there was the turtle.

Tortoise, Thunderlane corrected. Okay, weird, he thought, as the reptile tumbled past him. Instinctively, Thunderlane reached out to grab the little guy. “Okay, little bro’?” shouted Thunderlane, above the roar of the storm.

The tortoise eventually nodded and put on his game face. Forward, he gestured, with a claw.

Thunderlane grinned. “It’s you and me, bro! Let’s do this!” Thunderlane hugged the tortoise to him as he dove towards Ponyville.