Equinoxby Syn3rgy
Chapters
Sibling Rivalry
“What is the moon? It is an object that simply reflects the suns glare. The Moon will always envy the sun for its power to both show, and hide.”
~Starswirl the Bearded. History of Equestria: It’s Ponies and Land
Stars spun in perpetual motion. Silence across Equestria. Everything between Pony and Griffon were fast asleep; or almost so. Luna sat surrounded by the silence her night brought with it, and yet to her, she was being engulfed by noise. Thoughts, ideas, conspiracies-the desire for change-but how? Change was something the inhabitants of Equestria feared. They had established a delicate world of clock-work and habit; change was as fearsome as the return of Discord, or... Nightmare Moon.
Closing her eyes, Luna silenced her thoughts; she was certain that that part of her would never come out again.
With a sad smile, Luna leaned forwards, dangling a hoof absent-mindedly off the gold trimmed balcony she rested on. Following her return to Equestria, she found herself re-exploring the castle. Out of all its sights and places, this balcony was Luna’s favorite because it gave her an equal view of Canterlot, lit by lamplight, and the sky, peppered with stars. As a light in a nearby villa was doused, her mind jumped to a more pressing matter; equality. She was sick and tired of being alone, sentenced to roam the nighttime streets and track the lunar sphere; her older sister, Celestia, seemed to have it so much better. It felt as though she was still imprisoned; her inky image, a simple iconic figurehead for her sister’s ambitions, kept around to portray The Balance between Night and Day.
She imagined herself in Celestia’s hooves for an evening, greeting her loyal subject as they filed into one of her royal balls- smiling, talking, socializing; a vivid fantasy. One that seemed to be forever out of Luna’s grasping hooves. A shooting star brought the conflicted alicorn back to reality, and the ball disappeared, taking everything with it.
She was still alone.
But then a resolution came to the lonely princess, and she got up; maybe all she had to do was ask. Her proposal would not be an irrational one; she wanted some power, not much, but enough to gain the respect of Celest… no, her and Celestia’s loyal subjects. Often it was overlooked that the Lunar Princess was indeed royalty, and therefore had the birthright to rule.
Besides, how could a simple polite request end wrong?
Having recently finished her morning routine, Celestia had settled into her mahogany desk to begin writing in her journal. It was a simple thing-so out of place among the expensive bed and garnished tapestry-but it was something Celestia held close; as it helped her cope with the stresses of ruling a booming Kingdom. A knock at her door made Celestia turn and stare, her reflective reveries severed.
“Yes?”
“It’s me, Celestia.” The familiar voice from the other side made her smile slightly. “May I come in?”
“Yes.” The aged doorknob to Celestia’s private quarters turned, and after a moment, the doors were nudged open by a midnight blue Alicorn; her sister. “Good morning,” Celestia said politely. “Are you heading off to sleep soon?”
“Soon, yes.” There was a sort of apprehensive nature to Luna’s tone, one that made Celestia’s muzzle scrunch slightly as a question formed on her tongue.
“What’s the matter, Sister?”
“Oh, nothing,” an absent-minded glance down to the floor; when Luna again raised her head, her eyes were gleaming. “I brought you something.”
“Oh?” Celestia allowed a slight musing tone to creep into her response.
“Yes, a Grecian Urn. I found it a while back and have just recently fixed it up for your collection; I imagine it’s almost as old as you are,” Luna said.
The statement on the surface was portrayed as a simple response, yet comedic undertones made Celestia smile.
“Old as I am, Sister; I doubt that.” A pause as the Solar Princess composed herself. “Where might it be?” For a second, Luna blanked; her mind drifting to what she’d be bringing up after the urn was given. “Luna?”
Her daze was broken. “Yes, yes, I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m tired.” Luna’s horn lit up and from the entrance, the urn levitated into the room. “Here.”
Celestia’s magic was cast and it met Luna’s, taking it from her telekinesis. For a moment, the urn remained suspended there as Celestia admired it.
Decorating its black surface in white caricatures, the urn showed the artists concept on how Equestria was finally united. A gaggle of ponies mingled with one another, smiling, laughing; each representing a different benchmark in Pony Society. Above them all, the sun and moon goddess’s-a younger Celestia and Luna-stood proudly beside one another as equal.
“So? Do you like it?” Luna asked; her voice a bit edgy.
“Yes. But I don’t much like the fact that we’re on it; I look so young. I’m old now.”
Luna’s disappointment was refrained by simply clenching her jaws for a second.
“And…” Luna pressed.
“And what?” Celestia replied.
“Look at how we’re standing…” Luna’s hooves turned in a manner that told Celestia to look harder.
“What about it?”
“Oh for the love of—”
“Luna, what’s going on?” Celestia questioned, interrupting her sister before she could finish.
A strung sigh. “Everything, Celestia; I wish we could rule equally again.”
“Luna…” Suddenly, Celestia was exhausted.
“Luna what?” she replied. “Go back to your life of solitude and keep quiet?”
“No, that’s not what I mean, Sister.” Celestia said slowly, shaking slightly as an inner turmoil bubbled in her stomach.
“Sister? Even when you’re around me you talk in a royal manner. I was around before you even rose to power, remember?”
“Yes, I do.”
“So then why?” Luna prodded.
“I don’t know why.” Celestia said. “Luna, ever since your episode…”
“You mean Nightmare Moon? She’s long gone.”
“Gone or not, I’m still uncertain. I can tell you’re still fighting with that part of you,” Celestia mentioned.
“But see, every time I ask you, you always say that. It’s been two years; what makes you think she’s still in me?”
“By the way you’re acting right now.” Celestia’s calmness was grating on Luna’s nerves.
“What, asking for equality is the work of Nightmare? If you think that’s the case, you’re as daft as anypony I know.” Luna growled.
“Luna, enough.” The end of Celestia’s sentence was venomous. “So long as I’m around, I’m not going to give you power. You have to prove to me that you can keep control of your emotions first; as Nightmare Moon is you’re anti, your hate. Even now as we speak, I can see her in your eyes.”
“No, Celestia. What you see in my eyes is the determination of a matured Alicorn that you are afraid of.” Luna dropped her voice so that she was practically whispering; the calmness she emanated had a gravity of its own. “I can see it in your eyes; do you forget that I am your sister?”
“No, but—”
“But what!” Luna exploded; Celestia back up a few paces. “I don’t know what happened to you in the thousand years I was imprisoned on the moon, but it seems as though you’ve become selfish in your desire for power.”
“Your words are heretical, Luna. Don’t make me do something that I’m going to regret,” Celestia whispered coldly.
Luna could feel the mounting pressure in her sister. “Heretical? My suspicions are confirmed. Why not move to Quagga? I’d bet the zebras there could do with another Totalitarian Govern—”
“Enough!” Celestia shouted.
Her horn flared red and she picked up the Grecian Urn, throwing it across the room. It shattered, and Luna’s breath caught. Silence pervaded as the inky Alicorn thought of what to say next. Celestia beat her to the pitch.
“Sister, Luna.” Her tone was practically begging for an end to the argument. “As the current ruler of Equestria, I need to ensure that her subjects are safe. For now, I cannot give you what you seek. In time, however, things will change; you will shine.”
“The irony of what you say is numbing, Celestia. You say I’m going to shine? The only reason my moon can be seen is because you have positioned the sunlight to reflect off its surface. In an instance you can douse me, put me down; make my very being a mere memory. I will never be able to shine on my own.”
Luna felt her chest tighten, and her throat ached. She began to cry in embarrassment; things could not have gone worse for her. As another tear fell from Luna’s eye, she turned and cantered away- around the shattered urn and back out the door. Neither Celestia nor Luna realized that for the whole duration of their argument, the window overlooking the garden had been open.
Ring* Ring* Ring*
…I must admit, cuz; Ponyville sure has its fair share of dashin’ ladies.” Braeburn mused, eyes glued to a mare as she cantered by holding a glass of cider.
“Eeeyup.” Big Mac replied, taking a swig of his own drink; silence.
“Say, how’s the family doin’? I wanted ta stop in and say hey to yall, but I gotta skitter outta Ponyville faster than a soon-to-be gelding. Work, ya know. They doin’ good?”
“Applejack’s workin’ hard and Applebloom’s doin’ fine with school and whatnot.”
“Eh, what about Granny Smith, that old darlin’?” Braeburn asked.
Big Mac laughed, spilling some of his drink on his burly chest. “She’s still kickin’, no doubt.”
Their conversation was interrupted as the door to the tavern opened up, jingling bells to notify the bartender of another customer. Applejack trotted in, shaking off her mane and tail to get rid of the extra water that saturated her coat from the weather outside. For a moment, she scanned the room, searching for her brother.
“Eh! Over here, cousin!” Braeburn shouted.
When Applejack spotted her relative, her eyes lit up and she cantered over.
“Now aint this a surprise!” Applejack exclaimed. “Braeburn, ah didn’t know yall were here; why didn’t ya visit Sweet Apple Acres? I’d recon the rest of em’ would want ta see ya.”
“My apologies, Ma’am. I was just trottin’ through town on my way to Canterlot for some legal shenanigans. They are trying to cut my land in half; so long as I’m standin’, they aint gettin’ scratch.”
“Ah see.” Applejack said, sitting down heavily on a nearby barstool. “Speakin’ of Canterlot, ya hear the news?” Applejack said, leaning in close.
“I don’t recon I have, ya gonna elaborate?” Braeburn asked, replicating her posture.
Big Mac leaned back.
“It’s Celestia.” Applejack murmured.
“Celestia?”
“Ya. It’s just a rumour, but there’s been talk about inequality in the upper court. Celestia is tryin’ to take the moon from Luna.”
“Naw, that can’t be right!” Braeburn exclaimed, drawing the attention of a dozen others.
“Now shush, Braeburn.” Applejack hissed, casting a glance or two over her shoulder. “We don’t need the whole world learnin’ about it.”
“Sorry, cuz.” He said apologetically. “But ya can’t blame me; that’s big news.”
“It aint no ‘news’. Remember, I’m just going off what ah was told by Applebloom. Apparently, somepony from her class heard Miss Cheerliee talkin’ with another teacher ‘bout it.”
“I don’t know, Applejack, that gossip seems as real as fool’s gold. Do ya know where the rumor started?”
“I don’t, but Mac does. Mac?” Applejack leaned back a bit, including her brother into the huddle.
The red stallion raised his eyebrows and took a large swig from his drink. “What now?”
“We’re talkin’ about the rift. Ya know, between the princesses?” Applejack replied.
“I do indeed. What am I supposed to be sayin’?” Big Mac questioned.
“Ah know you know about where the rumor started, you were talkin’ about it with Granny just yesterday!” Applejack said.
“Ya heard that, did ya?”
“Ah did. Want ta’ tell?” she beckoned him on with a twirl of her hoof before turning to the bartender and getting his attention; the conversation moved so that it was again between the two stallions.
“I suppose. I was talkin’ with a mare at the bar two nights back. She’d come down from Canterlot to get away from the hustle-and-bustle of them hoity-toity folks. She heard from her mate, one of them royal guards, that a gardener overheard an argument between the two of em; Luna and Celestia. Luna had come in to talk to her sister about havin’ equal right and Celestia turned it down. There’s a rumor goin’ around that Celestia wants to start up a totalitari-whatever government here in Equestria. She plans to remove even Luna’s right to raise and set the moon!”
“Now that’s somethin’ fearful.” Braeburn exclaimed, taking his hat off and throwing it on the bar counter. “That’s somethin’ nasty.”
“I know, I sometimes wonder what this world is comin’ to, ya know? These politics, they’re out of my league, and I’m damn happy ‘bout it. I wouldn’t want any other life than the one I got.” Big Mac confessed.
“I’d say!” Braeburn and Applejack said in unison, clanking their glasses together.
Celestia was awoken rather unceremoniously by a harsh rap on the door to her chambers.
“Yes, who is it?” She mumbled groggily.
“It’s me, Your Highness.” The timid voice came from the other side of the door, muffled slightly by its thick oak body.
“Silver Stroke? It best be worth my time; I was sleeping.” Celestia could barely hide the crossness from entering her voice.
“Please forgive me Princess Celestia, but I have some urgent news.”
Celestia flinched. “Urgent?” Urgent news was never good news. Fully awake now, Celestia rose from her bed- grabbing her royal tiara before milling over to the door. Taking a moment to flatten down a few stray patches of bedridden fur and place her crown over her mane, she straightened her posture and cast a bout of magic over the handle. When the door swung open, a frail pony-her royal scribe-met her tiered gaze.
“What is the matter?” Celestia said, possibly a little too harsh.
“A protest, Princess. The royal guards are holding the mob back for now, but I foresee a riot if they don’t get an audience.”
“What are they angry about?” Celestia questioned; a million suspicions running through her mind.
“Something about equality, Your Highness.”
“Equality?” The word surprised Celestia more than anything; she liked to think of herself as a fair leader, one who insured that everybody under her reign was given an equal amount of rights.
“Yes. There seems to be a rumor going around that you’re vying for a totalitarian regime.”
“I don’t understand—” Celestia’s royal façade cracked momentarily as realization struck her.
“Your Majesty…?”
“Leave me, Scribe.” Celestia turned around to cover up her falter. “I have business to tend to.”
Luna was bathing when she heard the door to her chambers swing open. The suddenness of it all startled her, and she sprung to attention just as her sister stormed into the gilded bathroom.
“Up! Up at once, Luna.”
“Celestia?” Luna, still stunned by the intrusion, was trying desperately to understand.
“I said up!” with a flare of magic, the drain was unplugged, emptying the baths components with a slurp.
“Celestia!” She’d found her voice now. “What’s the meaning of this?”
“That is a question for me to ask you! Are you not aware of what is going on outside at the moment?”
“No, I’m not.” Luna stood up from the tub, dripping with warm water. “But it must be urgent.”
“Your cluelessness is leading me to believe that you know more then you are telling, Sister.” Celestia accused, throwing a towel in Luna’s direction; Luna caught it in mid-air and began drying herself off.
“What makes you think such a thing?”
“It’s a protest, Luna. They think I’m trying to start a totalitarian government! The last pony who talked of such things was you, last week; when we argued.” Celestia moved in a few more paces towards Luna, her wings subconsciously flaring to reflect her building confliction. “Did you spread the rumor?”
“I didn’t! I swear!” Luna said, her eyes widening at the prospect; in the back of her head, another train of thought was pulling into the station.
For a moment, Celestia seemed to plan a rebuttal, direct more accusation; the look on her face flared momentarily before being consumed by calmness.
“Then you need to talk to them. If they do not get an audience soon, they will become aggressive,” she said.
“Celestia, are you sure—”
“You said you wanted power; I’m giving it to you. Are you unable to even talk to a few ponies?”
“No!” Luna exclaimed, taking offence.
“Then dry off and greet them. I will hold them off until you can arrive.”
Before Luna could respond, wish her sister luck, anything, Celestia had turned and briskly trotted out. Scowling at the receding spectral mane, Luna pulled the towel across her body, drying herself off. As the soft fabric ran down her back, she reflected on what had happened. Ever since their talk, it seemed as though a divide had been established between the two of them; a distancing. It hurt Luna as much as it gave her courage.
Slowly, a plan began to form in her mind.
Public Opinion
The arch in front of Luna led to one of the many balconies of Canterlot; this door in particular, led to one of the main gantries were often enough, Celestia would greet her subjects. Five steps and she would be out, and the scrutiny of the crowd, who, in rowdy baying were chanting her name, would become a reality. Just five steps… and yet Luna hesitated. At the moment, nopony, not even her sister, could see her; she had the chance to steel herself.
She found her situation conflicted, debating exactly how to address the crowd; she knew for a fact that what she did next could either propel her forwards, or forever hold her back. She weighed failure and success, consequence and repercussions; all in the span of a minute or so. She recalled the talk with her sister, who so coldly denied her simple request for equality, and wondered what the truth behind Celestia’s reluctance could be. Nightmare Moon seemed to be Celestia’s wild card, something she could always use to trump whatever Luna brought to the table; of course, Luna knew herself better than her sister did, and she was sure that Nightmare Moon would never again return.
Luna’s plan began to solidify. The rumor seemed to be a spur of luck for her, something unexpected that ended up in her favor for once; here, she had Canterlot in her hooves, and whoever controlled Canterlot, controlled Equestria. She would lie-fuel the fire-but not send the protesters into a riot; she liked her sister and wouldn’t want a fate such as that to befall her. She would use the crowd to propose a challenge of some sort, a way so that everypony who dwelled in Canterlot could see with their own eyes her capability to rule. A smile crept across her features then as resolution flooded in; she’d prove her sister wrong, and it started now.
Taking a deep breath, Luna crossed the remaining length of the marble flooring and stepped into the light. Celestia took note of her arrival and turned, staring deep into her sisters eyes. Though on the outside, Celestia seemed stoic and queenly, her eyes, which softened with emotion so that Luna may understand the situation, reviled the truth.
Don’t mess up.
Luna caught her gaze and nodded in confirmation.
I won’t.
As Celestia brushed past her to stand further back on the gantry, Luna walked to the railing and raised her hooves, tapping into her royal voice to silence the crowd.
“I, Luna, Raiser of the Moon, and Sister of Celestia, greet you!”
A cheer rose up, and then the protesters fell silent; they were waiting on her to speak. Clearing her throat, Luna continued, lowering her voice now that she was the center of attention.
“I request one of you to step forwards and explain to me what all of this is about.” To emphasise what ‘this’ was, Luna propped herself on the railing and spread her fore-hooves, including the whole crowd.
For a moment or two, an electric mumble broke out in the audience, and necks began to turn; names were shouted, but in the end, only one stallion stepped forwards. Looking up at the elevated Princess, he began to speak.
“I, Brawny Bolder of the Upper Canterlot Sector, am willing to tell you the story. I met a pony, one of your royal guards, who had overheard the argument between the two of you while making his rotation through the garden.” Before Brawny could continue, however, another pony stepped up; a satin red colored unicorn with vibrant violet eyes and a determined stare.
“But I heard different! A gardener of yours, whose name I know not, told me that he had overheard you defending your rights to raise the moon—” Yet a second time, a ponies sentence was cut off as another stepped up; a pegasus mare with an apprehensive stutter in her voice.
“Wasn’t it a Nobel? My brother had told me that a gentlecolt, one whom he had met in Ponyville’s tavern, had overheard that Celestia was vying for Totalitarianism!”
The crowd began to murmur, talking in low voices as the validity of the current situation seemed less believable; Luna saw this, and quickly intervened.
“Enough!” Luna shouted, and the mumbling died down. “The three of you are right, as my sister and I did have an argument; this in the least, is truthful. I think the matter is over what we were arguing about in particular.”
Luna could feel her sisters mounting apprehension without even having to look behind her; she held herself a little higher.
“What we can all agree upon, however, is that the argument seemed to have been over the rights of power, yes?” Luna piped.
The crowd began to nod, mingling their actions with the occasional shout of confirmation.
“You have all heard that my sister is after stripping my rights, or that she wants to establish Totalitarianism like the Quaggan Republic; that she wants me to be put away. I tell you that isn’t exactly a lie—”
“What is this heresy?!” Celestia intervened, her tempered voice carrying over the charged crowd. Stepping up to look venomously at her sister, she said, a little quieter. “Luna, why must you lie?”
Instead of answering her question, however, Luna turned again to confront her audience, who had, in the span of seconds, regained some of its hostility on hearing the interjection.
“No, Celestia is not attempting to establish Totalitarianism, I know and love her; we’ve talked, and this is not one of her evils. However, she had indeed threatened to strip me of my power, she is afraid that I would be a usurper; a threat.”
A booing rose from the audience, and Celestia recoiled a bit, shocked at the level of hostility.
“Again, I repeat my defense in front of you all!” She turned to look at Celestia. “Celestia, sister! I am not seeking for total control; I’m seeking an equal amount of ruling power, the amount I used to have before I was banished. Will you not give it to me?” Luna’s tone fringed on begging.
Clenching her jaw and growling something under her breath, Celestia turned to address the protesters.
“My subjects, I will not give Luna power!” The crowd began to roar, throwing insults and ashamed looks at their once venerable ruler. “But…” her voice was drowned out by the outburst.
“BUT!” she hollered ferociously, and the protesters froze; surprised more than anything at Celestia’s volume.
Even Luna found herself jumping in surprise.
“But I have my reasons! You’ve all known me since the day you were born, you knew me before my sister, Luna, returned from her prison on the moon to again wreak terror! I plead to you all to understand my predicament and invest in my decision; I never said that I wanted to strip her of her power! I respect her role in raising the moon, but am unsure about her current mental state! Nightmare Moon still runs strong in her, and I would die before allowing an unstable pony to rule beside me!” The crowd was dying down as they considered the other side, and Luna knew she had to act quickly.
“Do not be convinced so easily, least you are senseless souls! Had she said that while we had argued, this rumor would have never spread!” The crowd still didn’t seem swayed, choosing instead to stay on the fence and actually consider the two sisters sides. “Who is she to tell you that I am still unstable? I know I am not! Think about it! At any time I could have snapped! At any time I could have broken down and become ‘Her’. For those of you who know of my arrival every Nightmare Night of the year, you can vouch for my sanity; my friendly antics! I am one of you, as we are all great beings on an equal playing field; why should I not be as my sisters equal? Where is your compassion, my subjects? Do you find me unfit to rule?”
At first it was a ripple, and then it became a wave as the momentum increased. The crowd began to shout: “Give Luna equal power!”
“Do you hear that, Celestia?” Luna said, turning to her sister.
There was no threat present, as the audience’s zeal eliminated any concern of the sister’s conversing being overheard.
“I hear it, Luna, and are you proud? You have embarrassed me in front of my subjects.” Celestia said, hurt emanating from her voice.
Luna had to call upon every ounce of will to stop herself from embracing her sister and saying sorry; maybe she had been a little too… no, no she hadn’t.
“This would have never happened if you’d just listened to me, Celestia. Your time ruling as the sole monarch has done a toll on your morels.” Luna accused, leveling her gaze with her sister.
“But it has not, Luna. It is you who has changed. Must I now allow you to rule beside me, even if my gut tells me that it is the wrong choice? I will still fight, you know; if it means protecting my subjects from your demons.”
“Don’t fight, be honorable; you had your chance and you lost. However, I am not your enemy and I will not send the protesters into a riot. I’m going to make a proposal, one that you’d be wise to accept; lest you be embarrassed a second time in front of them.” Luna explained, allowing a bit of dominating superiority to enter her voice.
“You are cruel.” Celestia hissed, not trying to hide her disgust. “Equestria will be torn apart.”
“I don’t think so; I will show you how merciful I can be.” Luna said, turning to again address the protesters, who had broken out into banter.
“I propose a challenge to prove both to you and my sister-who still seems to doubt my capability- that I am fit to rule.” The crowd fell to a hush as the moon goddess again took to the podium. “My proposal is a fair one, as I will not force myself into a co-ruler position with my sister so apprehensive. In a week, in the morning, I will have a skirmish; my guards against hers. Call it a live chess game, if you please. The blades will be tipped and dulled; I do not plan on any fatalities. The purpose behind my proposal is to show that I can command troops as great as my sister can. What say you to that, ponies of Canterlot?”
“Hear, hear!” the crowd shouted, excitement fueling on their cry.
“I thought so,” Luna said more to herself, than anypony in particular.
In an emphasized move, Luna turned to Celestia; the look she gave her told the distraught solar princess everything.
Don’t mess up.
Celestia clenched her jaw and nodded.
I won’t.
Still gazing at her sister, Luna again spoke; her voice rising above the excitement. “Celestia, do you accept this proposal?”
“Yes.”
“Yes what, say it to the crowd.” Luna requested, turning again to look out over the gathering.
“Yes! I, Princess Celestia of Canterlot, raiser of the sun, accept my sister’s proposal! The battle will be a true spectacle!”
The rejoicing rose to unprecedented heights as the drama finally concluded itself; and at the preempt excitement of the coming game. The crowd’s happy shouting rattled deep in Luna’s chest, making her heart speed up and a genuine smile spread across her features; she’d done it.
Indeed, it seemed as though finally, she had a shot at again ruling proudly at her sister’s side; in time, she’d prove to Celestia how fit she was to rule!