Interlude II – Luna

The day began much like any other day would. Fleur slumbered peacefully after their most recent session, looking absolutely divine with her frumpy coat and fanned-out mane. 'She truly is beautiful, in every sense of the word,' she thought as she continued to gaze over Fleur's sleeping form. Luna could sit and watch her brilliant sub for hours on end, but this was a big day, and there were things to be done. Luna caught up on some additional reading, finished some paperwork, and was ready to handle the wedding preparations come morning.

“Good morning, Celestia.” She beamed at her sister as they met for breakfast. “Are you excited for today?”

“Exhausted,” Celestia confessed. “Watching for this threat has me so stressed… I honestly feel like I could sleep for a full day.”

“After the wedding, we can devote more resources to the investigation,” Luna patted the back of Celestia’s hoof tenderly. “and get some much needed rest, too.”

Over the last few weeks, she and Celestia had been spending almost all of their time investigating the threat posed to them by some nameless ‘Queen.’ There were so many powers in the world outside of Equestria, neither Luna nor Celestia had any clue who this queen was, or what the nature of their threat was. Luna had devoted a large part of her private guard to the task of infiltrating the surrounding lands and determining where those threats were coming from, while Celestia’s sway over the guard had them protecting borders and major cities, and searching for threats within.

But with the wedding now hours away, both of them were wearing thin. Luna had divulged a few nights ago and actually slept two hours. But that short rest had worn down soon enough, and both she and Celestia found themselves struggling to keep up with both the wedding preparations and investigating the threat to Equestria’s well-being.

“Today should be a happy day.” Celestia lifted her head defiantly, a smile forcing its way onto her lips. “The shield is strong and we’re watching our beloved Cadance get married.”

“That’s the spirit.” Luna beamed and gave Celestia a quick hug. “What are you having for breakfast?”

“Coffee.” Celestia waved a nearby waiter over. “And lots of it.”

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The preparations began immediately. After their breakfast, Celestia was adamant about returning to her solemn watch. She perched atop the highest observatory tower with a telescope, watching over the area as the preparations began. Luna sequestered herself in the midst of the throne room, letting problems come to her and sending solutions on their way out.

The day was soon in full swing; ponies coming and going with design choices, security issues, reports, and the affairs of a regular day in their wonderful nation. Luna was the catch-all manager for them, tirelessly speaking and debating with the guard, wedding planners, caterers, suitors, petitioners, lawmakers, complainers, and a whole slew of schoolfillies visiting the capitol for the day.

Eventually, things began to wind down on her end as the rehearsal got underway, though she had to handle a last-second issue with the bouquet. Celestia agreed to preside over the ceremony, so she left the watch over the city to several of her best guards while she made her way to the ceremony.

After rescuing the bouquet from what she had been assured was a 'dire emergency,’ there was only one thing left to handle - the bride herself. Luna excused herself and went to go find Cadance. Being as good as her bigger sister, Luna thought it fitting to speak with the bride the day of her wedding. She made her way towards the meeting room turned bridal chamber for the day, smiling as she rehearsed her speech in her head. The guards stationed in the preparation chamber’s hallway let her pass without incident, and she made her way towards the inner room.

Just as she was about to lift a hoof to knock, voices drifted out of the room.

“Can we talk?” Luna paused, listening to whoever it was. 'Hmm... That sounds like Shining Armor. What's he doing here?' Luna lowered her hoof and pressed an ear to the door.

“Of course, darling… You know you can always talk to me.” 'Cadance is here too?!' Luna's thoughts whirled into a near panic. 'Why are they together now? Don't they know that it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony?' She held her breath as if that would help keep her anonymous.

“It’s about you… And me too. Us.” Shining continued.

“Hmm? Sorry, I couldn’t hear you… These eyeliner brushes can be so fussy…”

“I need to talk to you seriously, Cadance.” Shining re-asserted himself. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“Oh? Very well then… No need to be grouchy about it. I know your headaches have been keeping you fussy these past few weeks.”

“It’s not just the headaches, Cadance, it’s you. You’ve been acting differently. Ever since I sent you down to the caverns in my stead, you haven’t been the same.”

“What do you mean?” Cadance mewled innocently. “I’m the same pony you fell in love with all those years ago… Can’t you see it, Shining?”

“No, quite frankly, I can’t.” It sounded like Shining stomped his hoof onto the floor. Luna re-adjusted, peering through the keyhole in the door to get a better view inside the room. Cadance, halfway prepared for her wedding, and a still-undressed Shining Armor were squared off, a small table topped with a vase of roses the only thing between them. Shining looked determined, while Cadance was doing her best to appear coy and sultry. Luna furrowed her brow and continued to watch.

“Shining?”

“You’re different, Cadance.” Shining continued. “Ever since you went to investigate whatever was going on underneath the caverns, you haven’t been the same. You’re fussy, moody, and downright rude sometimes. You hardly acted like you recognized Twilight. And speaking of, I haven’t seen her since that disastrous rehearsal! What’s wrong with you?!”

“Nothing’s wrong with me, Shining!” Cadance looked offended; Luna could see tears welling up in her eyes. “You talk about ponies not acting normally, yet you're being so cruel! You’re… You’re scaring me.” Cadance buried her face in her hooves, but Luna could tell. Those tears were fake - as fake as any she’d ever seen.

“Cadance…” Shining lowered his voice, lifting a hoof slowly. “Look, I-I’m sorry… The investigation, and these damn headaches, I… I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight.”

“It’s the damn shield,” Cadance sniffled, wiping her eyes… Which were still flawless. “It’s wearing on you, making you less than who you are. You… You should drop it. Just this once, just for me?” Luna immediately froze. 'Something is most definitely wrong. Cadance would never dream of doing such a thing, especially if it put us or Canterlot in jeopardy!'

“You know I can’t do that.” Shining shook his head. “Not yet, anyways. Celestia promises me they’ll devote more resources to the effort after the wedding. I’m sorry, Cadance… I’d normally be able to handle this wedding and the investigation separately. But together, you know it’s wearing on me.”

“I know, darling, I know.” Cadance cooed, slipping around the table like a snake. Luna watched as Cadance took his head in her hooves, smiling warmly. “At least let me help your headache once more?”

“Of course.” Shining smiled, closing his eyes. “I love you, Cadance.”

“I know you do, Shining…” Cadance stroked his mane. “I know you do…”

What Luna saw next froze her in place. A bright flash of neon-green magic filled the room, the scintillating power echoing off of the walls and reflecting in Cadance’s eyes. 'What?! Her magic is blue, not green! And the way Shining is looking at her... That can only mean...'

Luna gasped as she arrived at the only possible conclusion for what she saw

’Cadance is a changeling!

“Did you hear something?” Cadance’s voice caused Luna to flee. Using her wings to propel her down the hallway, she ducked around the corner, chest heaving as she heard the door open just where she had been standing a few moments sooner. “Odd… Must have been the guards. Speaking of, you have to go change into your uniform…”

Luna fled.

’Twilight and the elements! That’s our best bet. If there’s a changeling inside Canterlot, the only way to expose her will be with the elements. I need to find Twilight!’ Luna dashed down several halls and down into the main entryway, thankfully running into a sergeant.

“Sergeant!” She gasped, panting. “There’s an emergency. Call my bodyguards, and have them meet me in my quarters. Meanwhile, I need you to begin searching for Twilight Sparkle.”

“Y-yes, Princess! Of course!” The guard immediately jumped to, barking orders left and right. Luna teetered on the edge of panic before finding the nearest balcony and winging off into the sky.

In the back of her mind, though, only one thing took precedence:

’I need to protect Fleur.’

Closing her eyes, Luna focused and cast a spell.