“I've got it all figured out, sister.” Said Celestia, in a almost excited tone.

“Do you?” Asked Luna, looking at the huge map of Sarathûl that the Regent of the Sun and the pegasi had been plotting with earlier. The white alicorn had laid magical markings all over it, detailing their plan of attack.

“Yes!” Replied her sister, smiling eagerly. “Since the humans have declared war on us as a whole, there's nowhere we can't strike now. Come and see...” She pushed Luna closer to the table with a wing. On the right side, there was Equestria. On the left was Sarathûl, or at least the northeastern quarter. It went on a good ways further west, and a good ways further south too, though the land grew thinner and narrower as it got closer to the tropics. A good thing too, or it'd be desert like it was in Equestria at that same latitude.

“We don't know much about the interior, I admit.” Began Celestia. “Fifteen hundred years is a long time to go without updates. But we do know about the coasts.” Her horn gently flared with golden light, and the markings on the map did too. “Aegis said that there's not a lot of humans up here in Athair and Verâd,” she gestured to the two realms. “But they're in the middle of a war and the land would be crawling with soldiers. And north isn't an option either, that's their March. It seems they guard all the passes into their homeland, for some incomprehensible reason. Below Athair is the realm of Bîerlas, and Aegis said that they're expecting an attack from any direction, so they're prepared.” Luna looked over all the places Celestia had mentioned.

“That leaves just Ar-Athazîon and south.” She said.

“Indeed.” Agreed her sister. “South of Ar-Athazîon are realms more heavily under the sway of the Emperor, they'll be on alert there soon enough. That leaves just one place to invade from...” She pointed to a headland just south of the Imperial capital, caught between the lands of Hatharô and Lûndôvîr. By the marks on the map, it is a part of the tail end of the Jadâavon mountains, rugged foothills plowing into the sea, making all kinds of coves and inlets. “This region, here, is hinterland of both Hatharô and Lûndôvîr. It is sparsely populated, if any human lives there at all, and seldom investigated by authorities. If we could bypass the Emperor's fleet, we could land undetected, and have an army sneaking into their heartland without them knowing until it was too late!”

“I...” I don't know, Celly, she wanted to say. “I guess it could work. I don't know much about strategy or war at all.”

“That's fine, Luna.” The other alicorn replied. “I think you're too young for battle anyway.”

“Too young?” Of course, Luna didn't want to fight anypony, but she couldn't let her sister get away with such an insult! Celestia just smiled smugly. “I fought Discord too, you know.”

“Yes, but you were sixteen. Just a young filly.” Replied Celestia.

“And even though I was a young filly, I was the one who delivered the final blow with the Elements.”

“Desperate times,” Celestia stated dismissively. “Desperate measures.” Luna didn't remember much of that, but did remember how terrifying and mind-jarring the last days of the chaos spirit had been. Her father had told her of how Discord normally put on a more playful mask when dealing with mortal ponies, but when the long war the alicorns waged against him finally came to its endgame... He had held nothing back. Nothing. Reality itself bubbled and warped, almost to the breaking point. And there had been things spawned from whatever unfortunate creature was caught in those bubbles and warps. The Regent of the Moon was glad she remembered little. The others had never spoken of it while they were alive, and she did not want to know what they witnessed.

“Aegis reports that the unicorn army is doing better than expected.” Continued on Celestia, getting back to the subject at hoof. “They're taking quite well to using our old war spells. I haven't seen some of those cast in over a century and a half!”

“Mhm.” Luna acknowledged with a nod.

“The humans take pride in their smoky black powder, but they like to fight in tight formations, I've heard. We'll rip the ground out from under their feet, and send them scattering!” Stated the white alicorn.

“That sounds like it'll take a lot of powerful unicorns.” Which we currently lack...

“No, just many normal unicorns. We have ways to pool their collective strength into a single weapon.” Explained Celestia.

“And who controls this weapon?” Luna asked.

“I do.” Her sister said, looking at the map of Sarathûl with disdain. Wonderful. Every day, Luna realized a little more that this foolhardy plan was actually going to go through. “You don't approve.” Celestia said, looking at her.

“I suppose not...” Admitted the Regent of the Moon. “This seems like a horrendously bad idea, Celly.”

“I know you and Aegis see it that way. But I can't let this just pass, you know that.” Replied Celestia, sounding both sad and angry. “I cannot stand by and let the death of my race go unavenged. There must be justice. There must.”

That was all they spoke of on that subject. Celestia retired and lowered the sun, Luna rose the moon, and got about on her business. Days and nights rolled on by, turning into weeks, as they got ever closer to the summer solstice. Most of her time was spent with her two courtiers and Lady Splendor Garnet, as she developed her plan for the earth ponies. Celestia had displayed interest in it, so it was worth investigating more. But something else was beginning to take her interest. Over the past two weeks, she had noticed herself slipping into an almost trance like state as her mind wandered. Normally, this would have been nothing, all ponies got distracted. But this was different.

Luna was sure she was beginning to see dreams.

“Are you sure?” Asked her granduncle, when she brought it up at breakfast.

“I think so. It's like... I just slip out of my body, and I can just move from pony to pony, and look in their heads.” She said. “Kind of... Everything is blurred and undefined... It's hard to describe, because it's like nothing I've ever done.”

“I guess your father's gifts are finally transferring to you. Which is odd, as Celestia has yet to gain most of her mother's powers...” Aegis and Luna both looked at Celestia, who glared at them as she ate her meal. The midnight alicorn smirked back.

“The problem is that it's hard to control.” Luna continued.

“That'll fix itself if you keep on practicing.” Stated Aegis. “Just be careful whose dreams you look into. They are powerful things, in some... Weak, in others. Stick with the weak ones, Luna. A powerful dreamer might drag you in against your will, something you can't fight. Not yet.”

“That can happen?”

“Well, in an untrained and unprepared state like the one you are in now? Yes, it can.” The golden alicorn said.

“What happens if I get caught in a powerful dream?” Luna asked.

“Nothing, if you're lucky. If you aren't... The mind is a fragile thing. You'd be like a hermit crab without his shell, or a hedgehog with no quills. Best not to think what could happen. So use caution, Luna. Darker things lurk beyond the real.” Ordered Aegis.

“I understand.” She said with a nod. Did she? Luna hoped so. “How do I get better at this, though?” Aegis opened his mouth to reply, but closed it. He stared off into space.

“...I haven't the slightest idea.” Replied the golden alicorn quietly. “My nephew- er, your father and I never did speak much. Whatever he knew of the Dreamworld went with him. Just do not push yourself too far.” That would make sense... From what Luna remembered, before the Grey Shadow, Aegis Vigil had always been a loner. Though he was the eldest alicorn in Equestria, their granduncle had been nothing more than a distant figure in their lives, off on his own tasks and rarely in one place for long. Until a few months ago, at least.

Luna did the best she could with the dreamworld business, often sitting in one spot and concentrating for long periods of time. It was hard work, and harder to describe. She had to will herself beyond her body, and into the minds of sleeping ponies nearby. Goldleaf found himself volunteered for practice, and while he slept in the early morning, Luna would try to get into his dreams. She succeeded once or twice, but was never in his mind for long. Still, it was a start. It was often easier to slip into dreams while she herself was asleep, or nearly asleep. Before she knew it, summer solstice was upon them.

“It's time!” Said Hemlock excitedly, on the last day of spring. It was a hot and bright day, but not too hot. Once again, they were on a diurnal schedule, though it wouldn't last for long.

“So it is.” Agreed Goldleaf, with less enthusiasm. “I don't like all this switching of sleep patterns, it's making me tired.”

“It's worth it.” Hemlock replied. “The solstice has always been my favorite celebration.”

“Aye...” Nodded the unicorn. “Winter solstice was always a bit dreary.” Luna frowned at him silently. “Forgive me, your highness, but I strive to be honest.” Said Goldleaf, bowing his head.

“You are forgiven.” Acknowledged Luna.

“I suppose we should be getting ready for this celebration.” Hemlock stated. “We do have something to do, right?”

“Of course not, I'm a Princess, and you're my court.” Luna replied dismissively. “It would be improper for members of the Night Court to help prepare anything like this.”

“Oh. My mother always made me... help out... at home.” Commented the pegasus. “Guess I'm not used to sitting around and doing nothing while other ponies work.”

“Relax, Lady Hemlock.” Goldleaf said. “Let somepony else take care of things, they know what they're doing better than any of us three.” The day went on, earth pony servants hustled and bustled around under the direction of the unicorns. All the city was made ready for the festivities, the first time a the Summer Sun Celebration had been held here in Lithton. Everything was directed in praise of the sun, the summer, and Celestia. Luna couldn't but feel a bit jealous of it all. My time will come though, in just another six months. They'd give her the same attention then. But tomorrow was Celestia's day, she could understand that.

Well, she hoped she understood it. Luna wanted to understand, she really did. Perhaps it was just natural to be envious of all the attention being lavished on her sister, while she was ignored on the sidelines. It wouldn't last forever though. Celestia had spent all day in seclusion with her war council, planning who knew what. She was content to let others plan the celebration. Lacking in all activities and tasks, the midnight alicorn's Night Court set about wasting time as best they could. Finally, they settled on investigating the royal library of House Platinum. Luna searched for anything regarding the dreamworld, but there was nothing on the subject. Is this power just limited to me?

That was a question to think about as she slept, after raising the moon. Or rather, let her body sleep. It was time for her mind to walk. Luna thought it was entirely possible that she was only individual in the world with this ability. Now, that would give me quite an advantage... To be able to slip into the minds of others as they dream. Who knew what she could glean? The real world melted into the dreamworld, a misty place full of half-colors and fantastic enigmas she could never hope to describe. Here, ponies showed up as flickering lights in an eternal dusk. All she had to do was peer into the light, and step within it. Goldleaf's light was familiar to her; she had been there several times now. She knew Hemlock's light too, but she had never been inside it. Why not now?

The dark beige pegasus was dreaming, but like so many dreams, none of it made sense. She was wandering around in what had to be Highcrest, the city that shared the name with the same kingdom. Hemlock didn't seem to have a purpose for her wandering, she just walked ahead with an impatient expression. There was nothing to see here.

Luna shifted out of the pegasi's dream, and back into the wider dreamworld. She visited the light she had come to realize belonged to Lady Splendor Garnet. There was nothing of interest there either, just the rather unlikely situation of the entire Summer Sun Celebration turning into a whimsical calamity.

That's the first time I've ever been able to do that twice without waking up, realized the Regent of the Moon. Progress was being made! It would be something good for once... Luna was so caught up in self-congratulation that she didn't notice a stronger light coming towards her. Or rather, she was sliding towards it. In an instant, she recognized it as her granduncle, Aegis. “A powerful dreamer might drag you in against your will, something you can't fight.” He had warned her not a week ago about this! Closer and closer she was pulled into the light; it burned with a fire unlike any but Celestia's, and probably Luna's own too. Then, she was in.

What the Luna saw was something she did not understand. Her granduncle stood on an icy plain under a moonless night. But that was not to say the sky was empty of any heavenly body. Nay; a terrible black orb hung above the ice, surrounded by a blazing halo of sickening light that was not light. Only cold came from this false light, there was no heat or life in it. The ice reflected it, giving the entire scene a fiery orange hue- but it was not orange, it was too wrong to be orange, it was too wrong to be any kind of fire. The longer she looked at the orb, the more the world around her distorted and slid away. It whispered, it sang, words of silent shade and soft snow-

Everything shattered apart, and Luna was free. She rocketed back out of Aegis's dream, out of the dreamworld, and out of her bed. Sweat coated her fur, her limbs trembled, her mind reeled. The Regent of the Moon didn't even have time to react at the snap of teleportation sounding beside her.

“Luna!” Sharply said Aegis. “I warned you about being pulled in!” He growled, a dangerous look on his face.

“I- I-” Stuttered the younger alicorn. “What- What was that?” She whispered.

“It was something you should never have seen.” He said in a low voice. “I told you about getting pulled in, Luna. I told you.”

“It was too late!” She defended. “I didn't notice it until- until-”

“Yes, I understand. Your father did the same thing once when he was your age, but even he didn't see that. You must never, never tell anypony what you saw. Never.” Spoke Aegis in a calm but deadly serious tone. Luna felt her ears go flat in apprehension.

“What did I see, though?” Asked she. Her granduncle didn't respond for a few moments.

“If I told you, you would seek to learn more. If I don't tell you, you would seek to learn more.” He muttered, bowing his head and closing his eyes. “I told you I have fought many enemies, far greater than any that live today. Some were so powerful that even their images can affect us. It has been my solemn duty to contain these images. Now you must contain one of them as well. It will be a duty you keep for the rest of your days, Luna, as long as they may be.”

“But, I only saw it for a few moments-” Luna tried to say.

“Even a moment is enough.” Said Aegis grimly. “Ten minutes ago, I was but one of three who still carried this image in my mind. Now, there are four of us.”

“Were there more?” The midnight alicorn asked.

“Yes, and many could not contain it. We did what we had to do.” Warned her granduncle. “I hold you very close to my heart, Luna; but if I have to choose between the world and you, I will choose the world.” Now Luna's ears dropped straight down. Aegis sat down next to her, and put his wing around her. “But, you are no mere mortal like many of the others. You are an alicorn of one of the greatest, noblest bloodlines in all history; your flame burns like the first flames, and no natural thing may put it out. There is great strength within you, and if one as meager as I can hold this image, you surely can. I know you won't fail.”

“I've never thought the word strength applies to me.” Said Luna sheepishly, rather embarrassed at Aegis's endorsement. “Mother and Celly always agreed that I wasn't strong enough to do what had to be done. That's why Discord is stone, not dead.”

“It takes another kind of strength to have mercy, Luna. The chaos spirit was not evil; and looking back, I do not think he deserved to die.” Aegis countered. “You had the strength to do what was right when all others wanted what was wrong. You have the strength to keep this image locked away and hidden.”

“Alright...” Agreed she. Luna was still shaken by what she had seen. “You said there were two others besides us. Who?”

“All in good time.” Replied Aegis, rising again. “Now, get back to sleep. Tomorrow, I will teach you how to guard this thing within your mind. With luck, you may even be able to forget it's there.” He made to leave.

“If you can forget it's there, why was it in your dream?” Questioned the Princess. Aegis paused for a moment, before smiling sadly.

“I, Luna, am not a lucky alicorn.” With that, he was gone. Sleep quickly welcomed Luna again, and this time, it was real sleep. It was the dream-walker's turn to dream, and she was blessed by memories of a safer time to drive off the fear of the black orb.

Early morning came, and the instinct to lower the moon came upon her, rousing her from bed. The time was not yet right, but it was coming within the hour. The longest day of the year was almost upon them. “You don't look so well, Luna.” Celestia commented.

“It was a rough night.” She answered.

“I hope you'll still be able to attend today's festivities.” The white alicorn went on.

“Yes, Celestia, I will be able to attend your festivities.” Luna affirmed sourly.

“You've been antagonistic lately, Luna.” Sighed Celestia, stifling obvious frustration. “If I had my way, mother and father would still be alive. But they aren't, we're in charge now, and it's up to us to take their places. I never asked for this. None of us asked for this. But it's the way things are. Your day of glory will come, just wait. Today is mine, no matter how much I do not wish it to be. We all have our parts to play, sister.”

“I know, I know.” Grumbled the Regent of the Moon. “Let's just get this over with.” Luna didn't pay much heed to other ponies that morning, as they all gathered in the castle courtyard. Her mother's banner, now Celestia's, flew everywhere, pure white with a golden sun. As was planned, she lowered the moon without fanfare; in the background, so to speak. Meanwhile, Celestia stood at the center of everypony's attention, and raised the sun quite triumphantly. There was much cheering from the rest of them, even from Hemlock and Goldleaf. The Princess of the Night tapped a hoof impatiently, an unamused expression on her face.

After the show was over, they all went into the throne room, where the unicorn and pegasi nobility showered praise upon her sister for doing what they did every day. Luna kept herself attentive by trying to guess what each pony would say.

“...It is our great honor to have you here among us, Princess Celestia.” Said some noble unicorn mare. I bet she'll comment on how great the sunrise was. “Your work this morning was especially spectacular, though that is not to say it isn't always so.” There we go. The game continued. Some ponies had gotten hungry and left with Celestia's leave, the court wasn't as full as usual when something unusual happened. A rather bedraggled unicorn mare came forward, bowing deeply. She did not look the part of noble.

“Greetings, Princess Celestia. I bring word from afar.” Spoke she, bowing. Her horn lit up with bright green magic, and she produced a sealed letter. Celestia's own gold magic overtook it, and brought it to the white alicorn. Quickly, she opened it and read, her expression going from neutral to very alert.

“Well...” She spoke quietly. “We are afraid We must call short court for today. An important matter has come up. Follow.” Ordered the Princess to the mare. “Luna, Aegis, you too.” Celestia and the pony departed from the hall, with Luna and Aegis not far behind. The white alicorn holed them up in her personal study. It was rather cramped for four ponies, but it would have to do.

“I apologize for the deception, but it was necessary to get in without attention.” Said the mare when the door was closed. Her horn lit green again, but this time all her body flashed, and the pony was no longer a pony. Not a true pony. Her fur and mane were gone, replaced by smooth black surface not unlike that of an insect. Her eyes were a featureless blue, her horn jagged, her limbs full of holes, and now she had a pair of translucent wings. A changeling, Luna thought warily.

“What is this doing here?” Asked the Regent of the Moon.

“This one is an emissary.” Hissed the changeling softly, taking on a completely different attitude and personality. She looked dangerously thin though, as if she hadn't fed in weeks, perhaps even months. “Nothing more, nothing less.”

“But an emissary of whom?” Wondered Aegis, narrowing his eyes. “Rumor is that your Queen Tinea died recently.”

“It is true.” Affirmed Celestia. “Your letter says as much.”

“This one has come as an emissary of Queen Altilis, rightful ruler of this one's kind.” Stated the changeling. Everypony is sending emissaries to us it seems.

“Altilis is the daughter of Tinea, then?” Luna questioned.

“Yes.” Nodded the emissary.

“You added rightful ruler for a reason.” Observed Aegis.

“Yes.” The changeling glanced around. “There are those who would usurp; those of other, less worthy lines. This one and her kin serve the true Queen; these ones would die for her.”

“That one looks as if she is about to die from starvation.” Commented Luna. The emissary did not reply, but she shuffled nervously. Who could have thought that a changeling was capable of being nervous?

“It would seem your kin have fallen on hard times. How unfortunate.” Something in Aegis's voice made it clear it was anything but unfortunate. “You wouldn't have come all this way unless you wanted something, though.”

“No.” Agreed the emissary. She still seems nervous... But about what?

“That is what the letter is about.” Celestia floated it onto the table. “Queen Altilis sends her regards on our ascensions, Luna. And she wishes you well, Aegis. How sincere she is, I cannot say. What is important though, is that the new changeling queen wants to renew our treaty of nonaggression for another century.”

“A wise choice.” Aegis said approvingly. “Last time we had a war, we sent them scurrying six ways from Sunday.”

“Queen Altilis was not sure if you would do such a thing; she does not know you as Tinea knew your mother.” Explained the changeling.

“I think it's wise as well.” Stated the white alicorn. “I have a bigger war to fight as it is; I don't need to worry about changelings trying to be the power they once were on top of it all. Tell Altilis she has a deal, the treaty will be renewed for another century.”

“...Excellent.” The emissary didn't seem pleased, that was for sure. She did a terrible job at hiding the fact that she looked as if she had just signed her own execution order. The three alicorns exchanged confused glances. “This one will return to her home with the news, with your leave.”

“Go.” Approved Celestia. “And if you must feed, be sure to do it on an earth pony, they're expendable.”

“Thank you, Princess Celestia.” The changeling actually sounded grateful! With that, the emissary flashes out of existence in a burst of green, no doubt to somewhere outside of the city where a mob would not chase her down. Luna raised an eyebrow. “What?” Asked Celestia. “She might have been a changeling, but she was still on the brink of death.”

“I'm more concerned you consider earth ponies expendable.” Darkly said Aegis.

“They are.” The Regent of the Sun replied. “They breed fast and have no special skills. It takes years to teach a pegasus to fly or a unicorn to use magic. Earth ponies have none of that.” The golden alicorn only sighed at this.

“Something else is going on with the changelings.” Luna noted.

“No doubt.” Agreed Celestia. “I guess we'll find out in a few years when this human affair is over. Speaking of which, our first scout ships will be ready to sail in just one more week.” Hemlock would approve. She's been waiting for this disaster to start... Most of the pegasi were, come to think of it.

“I suppose we had to get these fiasco going sooner or later.” Grumbled their granduncle. “Go plan war with your pegasi, Celestia. I need to talk to Luna alone now.”

“About what?” Asked the white alicorn.

“About comets.” Celestia just rolled her eyes and walked off.

“I already know about comets...” She said on her way out.

“Comets?” Asked Luna. “I know about those!”

“No, not comets, that was just to get her to go away. I speak of what you saw in the dreamworld.”

“Oh...” She said, discomfort seeping in all around her.

“Yes. Come Luna, it is time to learn.”

Author's Notes:

University cannot stop me, I can only be contained!
So yeah, I'm back, for who knows how long. If this chapter seems kind of disjointed, it's because I wrote half of this in early February and the rest of it now. I got in over my head there for a bit... I promise I'm not going Robert Jordan, guys. When I open a subplot, it has a purpose. But like Robert Jordan, that purpose is sometimes long in the revealing.
As usual, if you spot errors, tell me. It's 2:30 AM here, I need all the help I can get.