“...And that is all that I have to say your Highness.” A saddlebag wearing yellow pegasus stated with a bow to Celestia, who, for the first time in years, was holding court instead of her sister.

“Hm...I see how that is serious. Are you certain the Cloudsdale Guard are abusing their power? Do you bring proof?” Celestia asked worriedly, and the pegasus produced some photographs from his saddlebags, which Celestia used her magic to bring to her and looked them over, and leered at the very blatant proof of guards oppressing other ponies, even if the shots were from odd angles, they had to be taken as such considering the secluded locations said events were happening. “I thank you Bright Plume, worry not, I’ll tell nopony who gave me this information, but if you wish I will assign some of my personal guards for your safety.”

“No need your Majesty, I am confident that you will see to it that justice is done. If it is fine, I will take my leave?” The yellow pegasus asked, and Celestia nodded to him, the stallion seeming to lose all the weight off his back as he trotted back out of the room, and Celestia gestured one of her guards to come closer.

“Take these, give them to a pegasus Inquisitor, and assign some thestrals to tail Bright Plume to ensure nopony hurts him.” Celestia whispered, and the unicorn nodded before storing the photos in his armor’s satchel, and teleporting away. “The next petitioner may enter.” At Celestia’s words, the doors were opened again, and a gray smiling face entered, only to turn into a look of confusion.

“Oh, Princess Celestia? Where is Princess Luna?” The gray and white stallion asked as he entered comfortably, making Celestia smile. It was a common question this day, ponies asking where her sister was. It made her so happy Her Little Ponies were so at ease with her sister after years of her running the court while she ran the day-to-day things her sister often did so long ago.

‘Oh Luna, how wonderful it is that you are accepted, and now maybe ponies even see you more as their Princess than me.’ “She is taking a day off, visiting our friend Princess Twilight in Ponyville. I was more than happy to cover for her so she could see her friend. Now who might you be My Little Pony? You seem to be a regular visitor of my sister.” Celestia teased with a knowing grin, making the admittedly cute stallion blush and bashfully rub the back of his head.

“Oh Princess, I am but a humble masseur of the local spa. I have only had the joy of easing the tension from Princess Luna twice.” The stallion stated, only for his face to light up even more as Celestia quietly tittered to herself. “N-not in that way!”

“Oh but good sir, I’ll have you know my sister is a wing-mare, and your wings are quite to her liking~.” Celestia lilted, getting the stallion’s large feathered wings to shift as he was extremely embarrassed by the elder sister. “In fact, I’ve noticed that most of my petitioners today have all been stallions, pegasi or thestrals, and most of them have big wings. Is my sister courting at court?” Celestia teased even more, and the poor stallion looked like he wanted to vanish on the spot. “Oh, forgive me, it has been ages since I’ve nosed-in on my sister’s life. Tell me your name good sir.”

“I-I am Firm Feather your Majesty.” The stallion said nervously, his blue eyes not willing to look up at the mare and his face still flushed much to Celestia’s amusement.

“Well then Firm Feather, did you come today with the intent of merely chatting my sister up? Or is there something I must know?” Celestia decided to stop tormenting the poor buck, he might very well have a problem.

“Y-yes, there is. There are nobles who have started buying-out much of Under Town’s real-estate, and charging exorbitant prices for anypony to live or use these buildings, prices nopony down there can afford.” Firm informed the Solar Diarch who looked quite upset, as Under Town was more-or-less a well-kept slum that the ponies with average or below income could live safely like the rest of Canterlot.

“But I instated that nopony with a certain credit score can muscle-out the less fortunate, how is this possible?” Celestia balked as she summoned a scroll with her magic and unrolled it to skim over it. “How...I thought I was iron-clad in my restrictions on Under Town’s credit limit so nopony more privileged could do these things to the poorer ponies, have you any idea Firm Feather?”

“Well...not really. I know they use a liaison though, a mousy little mare named Farsight that nopony really has the courage to say no to. She’s just...different.” Firm insisted. “Once she purchases a property, suddenly the deed ends up in a seemingly random noble’s hooves, and then the property becomes barred from the public, and the pony’s more frivolous items are practically put on display, with personal guards, as if tempting the poor and taunting all of us.”

“...I...I see….” ‘No...I thought the Chips were perfect! They’re supposed to record everything, personal information, banking details, credit score, medical data, everything! How is this Farsight mare bypassing the checks? And what’s more, how did she know of that loophole when I didn’t?!’ Celestia fretted as she looked over the scroll on Under Town’s list of instated credit and savings limits to keep the rich out and also help the poor become less so and eventually move to a better area. ‘There is nothing against a pony selling their home, but I can’t take that away! And there’s no way to prove that Farsight is somehow jailbreaking her Chip without catching her, but she hasn’t done anything to incriminate her….’

“Princess?” Firm was worried, he’d never heard of seeing a Princess look worried, as in genuinely scared about something.

“I will buy back these properties, and release them to the public, and add clauses that prevent more well-off ponies from owning property in Under Town at all. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Is that all Firm Feather?” Celestia asked cordially, and the stallion bowed to her before leaving with a smile like he came in with. ‘I’ll have to have this mare found, immediately. But what if Farsight is an assumed name? If she truly has found a way to jailbreak her own chip, she could change her legal name at any moment! Regardless, nopony is allowed to hurt My Little Ponies in any way.’

‘Nopony….’

Court was done for the day, oh Faust had she forgotten how long court was. It took up half the day! No wonder she was always so stressed with Luna gone, doing this all by herself, even with assistants and robotic aids later on was such a grind, but with Luna handling the more public issues, life had gotten easier. Especially with her sister’s mercurial personality and blunt political tactics making everypony feel at ease with knowing she would protect and help them with no ultimatum.

Celestia was quicking writing up new clauses in the restrictions on Under Town, which was built into the cliff’s sides all around Canterlot, and even extended into the formerly dangerous Crystal Caves which robotic workers constantly excavated, which was both profitable, and cost no lives, even if the number of wrecked robots was disturbing, like the caves were haunted and trying to kill any who disturbed the crystals.

But once an area was excavated and then stabilized, the caves were just as safe as anywhere else, and buildings were erected to expand Under Town, which she hoped despite it’s restrictions against the rich, would become just as wonderful a place as Canterlot itself, considering the ponies there can trot through a cave practically made of crystal at their whim, so long as they are in the safe zones anyhow, and since the crystals had their own unique luminescence, light wasn’t an issue either.

The only reason the ponies and anyone else who lived in Under Town weren’t allowed to mine was because of the stated dangers of the caves. Certainly there was plenty of uproar about that, but when the ponies saw the robots being destroyed by bizarre and ridiculously unlikely circumstances, they all preferred living to dying quite reasonably. Those who lived in the caves were safe though, it seemed whatever force haunted the cavern saw no issue with residing there, only disturbing the crystal.

“Princess.” Celestia looked up from some scrolls to see one of her Inquisitors standing before her desk, she blinked, mildly surprised, but then again her Inquisitors were dangerous, some of the stealthiest ponies in the country.

“Yes?” ‘I wonder who it is...under those black robes and armor I can never tell who it is thanks to the enchantments making them have the same voice, like my regular guards.’

“We have some disturbing reports from a frontier town named Oatington that the locals refer to as ‘Our Town’.” The artificial black aura that summoned some items out of thin air meant nothing towards the stallion’s identity, since Arcanotech allowed pegasi and earth ponies to use spells like that just as well, if harder to learn.

“A giant metal ‘golem’ has been spotted. It killed one of the townsfolk that had been oppressing the town as a whole, stealing Cutie Marks.” A second Inquisitor was suddenly next to the first, making Celestia jump slightly. She’d never get used to her military’s cloaking technology that Trixie mare helped develop. It was only in it’s testing phase, but the results spoke for themselves.

“Wasn’t that what was set as the penalty for doing such a thing, anyways?” Celestia asked, only to remember the slightly seemingly less-important part of the report, and her eyes widened. “What did you say?”

“A giant. Metal. ‘Golem’.” A THIRD stallion intoned, and Celestia’s pupils shrank.

“No...no! I destroyed him 90 years ago! I blasted at least half his chassis away! He may have limped off, but there’s no chance even an auto-repair feature could have restored him!” Celestia bolted up from her seat, and turned to look out at the expanse of western Equestria in worry, her sight from here extending several dozen miles due to height and clearance. “Is there anything else?”

“Just that he spoke very loudly, like he had the Royal Canterlot Tone, and he screamed about Democracy.” The three intoned together, oh, it was the Triplets. Made sense.

“Then he’s back...tell nopony, if he’s not been reported by more public sources, then he’s in hiding. No need to worry the masses that a giant machine bent on their deaths is once again on the loose. Once I had assumed he’d offlined quietly, I felt it best to leave sleeping dogs lie. Oh what a mistake.” Celestia growled to herself, her mane and tail flickering like fire.

“Then is Project Titan back on Princess?” One of the three siblings asked.

“Yes. Tell Doctor Horse I’m resuming funding.” With that, her office was empty again, and she glared hatefully off into the distance. “This time, I will not let you go….”

It was dinner time, after the grim news, Celestia ordered a soothing bath and massage to help her calm down, there was no need to alarm her sister to the danger, she didn’t want her to worry about something that her big sister needed to take care of herself. It was her mistake, her mess, she wouldn’t let her have any of that burden.

“...And then she introduced me to something called a ‘gong’ from Chineigh! We must travel again sister, the world is so much different even elsewhere! Why don’t we have a ceremonial gong for the court?” Luna suddenly excitedly asked over her meal of spiced cockatrice and side-salad, her sister’s omnivorous tastes not bothering her one bit, but disgusting the chefs even after years of preparing the meals to perfection.

“We can have a gong if you really want one Luna.” Celestia acquiesced, she hadn’t even left the country in decades, so maybe, once Prime was dealt with, she could take an actual vacation with her sister, leave Twilight in charge as Regent. ‘Hm...sound plan...give her more ruling experience.’ Celestia put a slice of Tres Leche cake into her mouth, moaning in joy at the wet, flavorful cake.

“Sister, again with the cake? Haven’t I warned you that your flanks are getting wide?” Luna chastised as she bit into a tomato. Ponies way back when, to non-alicorns at least, were deathly allergic to tomatoes, but with time and carefully administering it into their systems ponies adapted to it so they could enjoy it along with many other fruits.

“Oh hush Lulu, it just means I have the biggest plot that’s hot to trot in Canterlot.” Celestia grinned cheekily, making Luna blush at again being teased for her flank envy.

“We shall not devolve into our conflicting preferences again sister. Simply because I am svelte and athletic is no excuse to let yourself go.” Luna leered, making Celestia grin in continued victory. Everypony knew that stallions liked big plots, and Luna did not have a big plot at all. Nightmare did, but Celestia just knew that was because of Luna’s flank envy.

“Luna~! You could have these juicy flanks too if you indulged~!” Celestia trolled as she stood up and started shaking her plot at her sister, who buried her face in her hooves. “Oh come off it sister, just have one slice, just one slice.” Celestia egged as she levitated her plate to her sister.

“No! We refuse to get fat!” Luna squeaked as she ran away from the wet pastry, and Celestia laughed uproariously as she gave chase around the grand dining table, cake at the ready.

“Prepare thine plot!” Celestia shouted, having heard enough slang and otherwise ridiculous things in her long life as she prepared to force feed her fleeing sister, who had started giggling.

“No! Mine plot is svelte and beautiful~!” Luna cheesed, only for a piece of cake to be shoved into her mouth as she wasn’t looking forward, and she stopped dead to enjoy it. “Mm...this is really good. Who knew wet cake was possible?”

“Apparently the donkeys of Jaxico.” Celestia informed as she offered Luna a proper serving of cake, and again her sister rolled her eyes and accepted. For years since her return, Luna had to face the fact that the modern definition of beauty had changed from thin and athletic to shapely and sensuous. Certainly ponies still found her runner’s definition to their liking, but it was also obvious so many more preferred her sister’s matronly form.

Even the athletic ponies had such a curvy form to them. The mares Spitfire and Rainbow Dash being perfect examples of being tough with muscle, but curved with just the right amount of fat. And sadly, Luna’s preferred big-winged stallions all had such a preference, considering she’d outright asked several who had attended her court, for adapting to the modern age of course! “So sister, before we retire for bed, I have a query.” Luna suddenly stated as they returned to their seats at the large table, the servants having paid no mind to their antics from before, it was very common.

“Ask Luna, you know you can ask me anything.” Celestia insisted as she scooped up a plate that had original recipe flan with a twinkle in her eye.

“Might you know of an automaton by name of Liberty Prime?” At Luna’s question, Celestia dropped the plate of pudding so suddenly it shattered on the table, and she was frozen like a deer caught in the lights of a vehicle. “S-sister?”

“...Everypony out.” Celestia quietly demanded, and the servants all rushed to leave the room, knowing that tone was one that threatened genuine punishment. After the last servant was gone, Celestia slammed the doors shut and locked them with her magic, adding a sound barrier. “Where did you learn that name?” Celestia demanded of her sister with heat, and Luna wilted away from her burning gaze.

“I-in the Archives! It was buried, but we spotted some old newspapers detailing a great machine by name of Liberty Prime. It sounded quite serious an issue, so I had wondered if you knew more….” Luna timidly informed. One of the few things Luna feared was her own sister, and right now, she was reminded of the old days, when her sister was an even scarier firebrand than she.

“Is that so?” ‘Damn, I had thought I erased all knowledge of Prime from anywhere. I didn’t want ponies to needlessly fear technology like they did for several decades after his initial appearance. It seems I need to have some Inquisitors scour the Archives again.’ “So what did you think of him sister? From the information you may have gathered?”

“O-oh, um, it was just detailing that he and you clashed, so I had indeed assumed you would know more. I am sorry if it’s a sore subject sister….” Luna wilted again, only for Celestia to sigh and take a calming breath.

“I’m sorry Luna, yes, it is a serious subject for me. He killed an entire town, Tall Tale, and ever since, he’s been a regular thorn in my side for over 900 years. At least, until I defeated him at last 90 years ago. Since then I have tried to erase all evidence of him, so Our Little Ponies don’t fear technology needlessly. What they should fear are what created him, the Old World. These things, things I have taken to calling Old World Abominations are just that; abominations. Prime was one such being, a monster created to slaughter. I have been dealing with them personally shortly after...the Incident….” Celestia gently hinted at, and Luna now knew her sister had been involved in things such as Prime for possibly nearing 1000 years.

“I see. Thank you sister. I apologize for bringing up something so painful. I shall keep quiet so as not to worry our subjects.” Luna smiled softly before she finished her meal and excused herself for bed, for even though she too slept, she had work to do in the dream realm.

Celestia watched her sister leave, and narrowed her eyes. “Inquisitor.”

“Yes, your Majesty?” The black cloaked and armored mare that suddenly appeared kneeling a short distance behind Celestia asked.

“Keep an eye on my sister. I don’t want her nosing into something she shouldn’t. Let me know if she gets too deep so I know when to bring her into the fold before she causes any damage.” Celestia groused, and the Inquisitor vanished without a word. ‘Damn it Luna. I didn’t want you to get involved in this.’ Celestia sighed and looked at her shattered plate of pudding, it resembling so much of her life she forlornly desired to be free of after so many centuries of secrecy and shadowy dealings. ‘No matter. With current technology, and Doctor Horse on it, Project Titan will ensure the safety of my ponies, and then I can start to reveal the truth to them, of the Old World our current one is built upon the foundations of, of the evils of the past turned to righteous endeavors.’

She then looked out the bay window into the early night, her thousand-yard stare searching for a lumbering monstrosity that wasn’t there. ‘Then, then it won’t be just me between My Little Ponies and things like him, like all his kind.’ The clouds over the moon moved aside, and cast a shadow, Celestia spread her wings, but the shadow showed the veined and hooked wings of a demon. ‘I will be a devil if it means protecting My Little Ponies.’ Celestia removed her peytral, and looked forlornly at the number engraved into the center of the interior, where it rested over her heart.

87

‘Because sometimes, the evils of the past, can create hope for the future….’

Author's Notes:

Please remember that this is an Alternate Universe. With that in mind, please sit back and enjoy the shit that is going on. Thank you. XD