AlaskanAnon in Equestria Ch. 15.75

>Unconsciousness slips away slowly, and sensation returns

>Specifically, the sensation of something poking your face

>"Anonymoussss..."

wuh...

>The poking stops

>"Anonymous!"

What

>You open your eyes

>Above you floats a purple face, concern written across the mostly concealed brow and slant of the massive eyes

>"Are you alright?"

>You inhale deeply through your nose before replying

Yeah.  Yeah, just having a nap

>Twilight rises, and backs off a bit

>"Well, it's about time for dinner..."

>You bring your hand up to check your watch

>Yup, she's right

>You have about an hour for dinner, before the thing

Alright

>Sitting up, you swing your legs over and down onto the floor

>Then you reach over and grab your glasses and stick them on your face

 

 

>You get up and make your way over to the kitchenette

Whatcha want for dinner, then?

>You ask as you open cabinets, looking for ingredients

>They contain mostly dishes and cookware, but no actual food

>"The cafeteria serves meals to all employees of the royal government..."

Oh.

Think I qualify as an employee?

>This gives her pause

>"I think your job in Ponyville qualifies"

And if it doesn't I can just pay at the counter, right?

>"I really don't think you'll have any problems" she responds, glancing up at you

>You shrug

If you say so

>You close the cabinets as Twilight heads over to the door and pulls it open

>"Shall we then?"

Sure

>So saying, you follow her out the door and into the castle proper

 

 

>The trip to the mess hall is relatively brief, and you add it to the list of locations inside the castle you know how to get to

>The hallways are as crowded as usual

>When you finally head through the door, a massive, cavernous room opens out before you

>The central area filled mainly with tables, some circular in nature while others are longer, with pony sized chairs scattered among them

>Almost all the tables are occupied, and lively chatter and conversation drifts about the place

>At one end, stands a raised platform containing several of the round tables and an especially large one with ornate chairs

>One wall is covered in stained glass windows depicting what you would guess are important events in history

>And lined along the other walls are several cafeteria style serving lines, with serving ponies in palace livery on one side and hungry p0nies filing down the other

>Payment being enacted at the end of the line

>"This way" mutters Twilight

>You follow her as she leads you to one of the shorter lines

 

 

>And here, you encounter your first problem of the night

>The buffets are built for ponies

>You look uncertainly at the tray in your hands, then down at the line

>The sneeze guard comes about up to your lower thigh

Uh...

>Twilight glances back at you

>Your tray is enveloped in a familiar purple aura, causing your fingers to tingle in the process

>It floats off your fingertips and joins Twilight's tray down on the line

>"Just tell them what you want"

Sure.  Thanks, Twilight

>You say, rather grateful

>"It's what friends do" she replies, stepping up to the buffet

>You step up behind her, examining your choices

>Today, it looks like soup

>The serving p0ny looks at Twilight, then up at you

>Either she's been warned of your presence

>Or Wadsworth's been teaching not-give-a-fuck lessons

>Either way, she treats you just like any other p0ny, which you're obscurely glad for

>You squint down at the cards as Twilight places her order

>"I'd like the carrot and potato soup, please"

>She gets a bowl

I'll have what she's having

>You say, and you get a bowl for your trouble

 

 

>After the main portion, there are a variety of self serve trays

I think I can handle it from here

>Your tray floats back up, and you take it

Thanks

>You glance up and down the line, your suspicions confirmed

>There's not a sliver of meat to be had out of the entire bunch

>This section nets you a slice of fresh, warm bread

>A pat of butter

>Three deviled eggs

>A couple of crackers

>After a moment's consideration, a slice of something that looks suspiciously like kringle

>And a glass of water

>Twilight trots up to the check out, where the P0ny simply nods to her

>You step up behind her

>"Bring it down" Says the p0ny

What?

>She rolls her eyes

>"Your tray"

Oh.

>You lower your tray to eye level, and the pony glances at it

>"You're free to go"

Alrighty then...

>You remark as you head off after Twilight

 

 

>Twilight begins to lead you through the maze of tables

>And you spot your objective soon enough

>At a table near the platform you see AppleJack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash

>Pretty much all of the others except Rarity

>Twilight rolls up and sits down

>So you grab a spot yourself, setting your tray down before you pull the tiny chair out of the way

>Then you plop down and blow on your soup

Hi guys

>You greet

>"Hey Anonymous!"

>"Howdy Anonymous"

>each greets you in turn, excepting Fluttershy, who just squeaks and hides behind her mane

So, how have things been going for all of ya in this wonderful city?

>You prompt, breaking the ice and hoping to distract yourself from your grumbling stomach while your soup cools

>"Super Duper!" shouts Pinkie, taking the initiative

Nice.  Care to tell me more?

>Pinkie's bubbling with her usual vibrant energy

>"I got to catch up with all my bestest friends that live in Canterlot!"

Really?

>"Yeah!  Doughnut Joe was really happy to see me"

>She looks left and right, and then leans in conspiratorially

>"It's been really busy for him lately, what with all the ponies moving into the city" she stage whispers across the table

Heh, I can imagine.

>The silence hangs for a minute, as you test your soup

>Nope

>Still too hot

>"What about you, AppleJack?"

>She pauses to swallow, ever mindful of her table manners, before responding

>"Wahll, they certainly were glad ta have me on the plow team..."

 

 

>It it at this point you determine two things

>The rest of your friends are more focused upon their food than conversation at the moment

>And your soup is now cool enough to eat

>The grilled cheese sandwich is nothing but a delicious wisp of a memory, so you dig enthusiastically into your food

>When you're wiping the inside of your bowl with a bit of bread crust, the conversation resumes

>You point your spoon across the table

So how 'bout you, Dash?  How have things been going up in the clouds?

>Dash doesn't even bother swallowing before she responds

>"The weather team was glad to see me.  They've been having the same rough weather we were seeing down in P0nyville"

>Right, weather control is a thing here

>Remembered that in time to avoid asking a dumb question

>"Nothing I can't handle, of course" She adds after a hasty swallow

'Course

>You agree placatingly

>...Someone's being awful quiet

>You wait until everyone else at the table is otherwise occupied talking about...

>Spike?

>Whatever

>Then you look to the yellow pegasus

What about you, Fluttershy?

>Fluttershy eeps at you and attempts to retreat further behind her mane

Not in a talkative mode today?

>She shakes her head ever so slightly

>You shrug inwardly, and consult your watch

>As you recall, she was having some issues with you the other day as well

 

 

>You'll give her some time to work out whatever her issue is with you

>No point in pushing it now

>You've got places to be

>Speaking of which, you look up at Twilight

>She's in conversation with Rainbow about the weather

>But you manage to make eye contact soon enough

>The purple head nods once

Say, Twilight

>"yes?"

Mind showing me where the trays go?

>"Certainly"

>You both rise from the table almost as one, drawing looks from everyone else

See you guys later

>You say as you head off, following Twilight to the tray disposal

>It's just a window set into the wall with a stack of empty trays and dishes, so you deposit your tray and turn to Twilight

>"You didn't have to be so obvious about it!" she hisses quietly

Wuh?

>What the hell is she talking about

>"This has to stay a complete and utter secret!"

>Oh, right

Whoops

>You resolve to try and be more discrete in the future

 

 

>"Come follow me, then" she calls over her shoulder, as she heads for one of the doors

Sure

>You duck through the door after her, and it swings shut behind you

So where are we going, anyway?

>"One of the labs" She notes

Alright

>Twilight takes you through many twists and turns, with less p0nies appearing the further into the halls you delve

>Her horn is glowing a bit

>Eventually, you reach a corridor that's completely empty, and Twilight looks left and right before pulling you through a door

>It slams shut behind you, aglow in purple, and you hear the lock click

>Then, the glow cuts out and you're both left in darkness

Uh...

>"Blast it!"

>You turn around and begin groping along the wall for a light switch

>Then something runs into your ass

>Something pointy

OUCH!

>You yelp, reaching down and seizing the offending object

>Something behind you squeaks, and you release it once it's no longer jammed into your jeans

>Then your forward hand finally locates the light switch

>Which is a few feet lower on the wall than you're used to

>You flip it on and turn around

 

 

>Twilight is sitting on the ground in front of you, with a rather distant look in her eye

>She shakes her head and seems to focus

>"I-I'm sorry, Anonymous..."

>You rub your ass for a second

Well shit, just don't do it again

>"I-I can take a look at it if you want..." she trots out automatically

>Then winces at the implications of what she just said

>You chuckle

There's not a hole, I'll be fine

>"Okay."

>Twilight rises, and canters over to a counter,donning a white lab coat

>Or at least what appears to be the p0ny equivalent

>And wraps a stethoscope around her neck, picking up a sheaf of papers and a quill off it

>As she does so, you take a look around

>your eyes behold what appears to be a laboratory

>The counters are littered with glass flasks and tubes

>The shelves, jars full of reagents of one type or another

>Stands, calipers, tweezers, tongs, even a bunsen burner or two

>Anything and everything an aspiring mad scientist could ever want

So, how do you want to do this?

>You remark as you reach out and pick up a glass tube

>"Well, let's start with having that shirt off"

>You unclip your cloak, and set it aside

>Then you remove your holster and set it on a counter, and pull your shirt up over your head

>Twilight stares up at you, occasionally glancing down at the sheet of paper she's scribbling away madly on

>"Now, if you could turn around slowly..."

 

 

>You feel like a male walrus on display

>After a minute, she speaks up

>"Take the pants off..."

Uh, alright

>You reach down and untie your boots, pulling them off

>Then you undo your belt and unbutton your pants, pulling them down and off your feet

>"And the second pair of pants..."

Twilight, what possible relation to how my ability works could this have?

>"Oh, this has nothing to do with that.  I'm just finishing the anatomy sketches."

Well, you can do that some other time

>You grunt, pulling your pants back up and beginning to re buckle your belt, muttering indistinctive things

>"It's purely scientific curiosity!"

If it really is, then it can wait.  

>Nobody gets a free show.

>Nobody.

 

 

>Twilight gestures to an old fashioned hanging weight scale

>except, y'know, p0ny sized

>"If you'll step up here..."

Sure

>You walk over to the scale, and hop on to the center the large platform

>Twilight trots over herself and begins making adjustments to the weights

>"Oh, darn..."

>You look down at the boom

>She's got the weights all the way over, and the thing is still bumping the top limit

Well, there's your problem

>"Huh?"

It tops out at...

>you squint

a hundred fifty pounds

>"...You weigh more than that?"

Pfft

>you scoff

>"How much do you weigh, then?"

Hell if I know, 180s, 190s?  I haven't been on a scale in a while

>Twilight goggles up at you

>"And that's healthy?"

For a human male?  Easily.  

>Twilight makes a note, and you step off the scale and into your pants

 

>"Okay..."

>"Why do you even wear a second pair of pants, anyway?" she muses as she shuffles notes

They're called underwear, and they exist for a variety of reasons

>"Such as?" She asks, quill suddenly at the ready

>you shrug, half way back into your shirt

They provide a soft surface between sensitive bits and the oftentimes rougher fabric of the pants.  They can provide an

 

extra layer of insulation, and modesty if you're forced to remove your pants in public.  And, well...

>"Do go on"

Y'know how, er... Stallions keep it tucked away when not in use?  

>"Mhmmm"

Yeah, well, humans don't have that.  It's out, all the time.  So you need something there to keep it from... flopping around.

>Oh shit

>If anything, you've piqued her curiosity further

But that's not why we're here, is it?

>"Noooo..." She says reluctantly

>As far as you can tell, it is purely scientific curiosity

Alrighty then.

>You begin to pull your pants back up

 

 

>She clears her throat

>"If you would have a seat..."

>You sit down against an open section of wall

>She looks around for a minute, then seizes a p0ny sized chair and slides it out in front of you

>"Put your leg up on this, please"

>You oblige her, and she begins examining your foot from various angles

>Then she recoils from the smell, causing you to chuckle

>"Is that natural?" comes the question

Nah.  Comes from wearing boots all day.

>"Very well" she notes, steeling herself and examining from a distance

>She raises one of her hooves

>"May I?"

Go ahead

>With the hoof, she pokes and prods various parts of the foot

>"I can see why you wear those... boots... all the time"

If I didn't have 'em, I'd get callouses hard as rocks, and more importantly my feet would freeze off quick as you please

>"I see."

>She pokes one of your toes

>"Do these fingers serve any purpose?"

 

 

Those are toes, and not really.  They help with balance, but I can't really hold anything with 'em.  

>You explain, wiggling them

Don't even have individual control beyond the big one.  Far as I know, they're evolutionary leftovers, on their way to a new purpose

>The pencil's doing a million miles a minute

>"What I wouldn't give to be able to see the skeleton...  but that's another day"

>This causes you to shift uneasily

>"Wait." She says, her writing utensil stopping dead in its tracks

>"Evolution?  What is evolution"

Oh shit, you don't have that yet.  Uuuuh...

>You say, scratching the back of your neck

It's a long story, and a theory.  Maybe even one of the longest there is.  I'll tell you later, okay?

>Twilight squints at you, clearly weighing her options

>"I'll hold you to that" she says reluctantly

Fair enough

 

 

>The current ream of paper goes to the counter, and instead she removes the stethoscope from her neck

>"You can put your foot down, if you like"

>You pull your foot back, and kick the chair out of the way, letting your leg slide across the floor

>She observes your knee operate as you do so

>Then she approaches, stethoscope held at the ready

>And lands the sensory end on your bottom left rib

Woah there tiger

>You joke

>She frowns at you

You going for pulse, or breathing

>"Pulse..."

>She pauses

>"You DO have a heart, right?"

Heh, yup

>You take her hoof in your hand and move the cold, metal circle up, until it rests roughly above where your heart should be

>For some time, she counts

>Then her eyes widen

>"Are you nervous?  Excited?  Have you had too much coffee?"

No.  Why?

>"Your heart rate is way too fast"

And what rate is that?

>"YOur heart is beating at 64 beats per minute"

Hey, relax.  That's normal for a human.  

In fact, most humans go faster than that.

>She scribbles some more

 

 

>"And two lungs?"

You betcha

>She moves the Stethoscope over, and she's close enough that you don't have to correct her

>"Now, if you could-"

Breathe in and out deep and slow?

>You inhale and exhale, just like you remember doing for the doctors back home

>When you finish, you can't help but ask

So what's with all this other checking, anyway?  How does it relate?

>Your question is given a moment's consideration, the writing ceasing

>"Frankly, Anonymous, you're interesting."

>"Equestria has never seen anything quite like you.  No combination of traits... You're a giant, mostly hairless monkey with a penchant for wearing clothing at all times, that has feet instead of hooves, tiny eyes, and a rather massive pair of hands."

Rather massive?

>"They're bigger than any I've seen on a minotaur."

>From here, she rambles

>"Your speech, your mannerisms, casual disregard of title and rank... I would very much like to see your world.  The society

 

that produced you; that made you what you are today."

I ain't so sure about that

>"I am."

>She steps closer, her massive, violet eyes peering deep into your own

>"I want to see, Anonymous.  I want to smell, to feel, to taste, to hear."

>"I want to know."

>Huh.

>There's a hunger there, alright

>one you can sympathize with, somewhat

Well, if I ever find a way back, I'll be sure to letcha know.

 

 

>The fire in her eyes fades in an instant, extinguished by concern

>"Anonymous, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

>You shrug

It's fine.  It doesn't really bother me.

>The concern turns to doubt

>"There aren't p0n- er, people you miss?"

Oh, I'll be the first to say there are people I miss.  But the way I see it, I have friends here, too.  The past contains valuable lessons to be learned, but there ain't no point letting it drag me down overmuch when I could be enjoying my life, wherever and however I live it.  

>Twilight considers for a moment.

>"Well, know that if you ever need somep0ny, we're here for you."

>You reach out and ruffle her mane, careful to avoid the horn

I appreciate that.

>After a second, you stop, and she shakes her head

>It poofs back into its original shape

Now, is there anything else you need?

 

 

>"Yes..."

>Twilight places the stethoscope back around her neck, and instead takes a scraper and several containers off the counter

>You take the opportunity to put your glasses and your shirt back on

>"Could you hold out your... arm?  Please?"

>You stick your left arm out, and she gently scrapes some skin cells off and into a small container

>Then, a small stick with bits of cotton on either end floats up off the counter

>"And if you could turn your head towards me..."

>You turn your head, and she gets a sample of ear wax

>"...When was the last time you cleaned these out properly?" She asks, somewhat repulsed

Last time I was at the doctor?

>You respond, trying not to move your head too much

>"And that was?"

>Twilight has finished

>You shrug

A year ago?  A couple?  I don't really remember

>She tsks at you

>Then she points at a pair of rags sitting on the counter

>"Hold those up to your ears"

Uh, okay?

>You pick up the rags and do as instructed

 

 

>Twilight's horn lights up, and your ear canals suddenly feel really hot

>Then you feel something moving through them, and the rags in your hands become similarly warm

>The horn stops glowing, and you lower your hands

>Each rag is covered in semi-liquified chunks of ear wax

Thanks

>"No problem.  Now open your mouth."

>You do as instructed and a cotton swab darts quickly inside, rubbing vigorously against your cheek before exiting and floating down into another container

>"You're doing very good!  Now, hold your head very still.  This might feel a little odd."

>The horn lights up once more

What do y-

>It takes all of your concentration to not wince

>There's a pressure in your ears like the worst head cold you've ever had

>Along with... silence?

>Complete and utter silence, it seems

>You stare down at Twilight

>She opens her mouth, but no sound issues forth

>Confirming your theory that whatever it is she's doing has rendered you deaf

>Several more excruciating seconds pass, before the pressure leaves and your hearing returns

 

 

What the HELL was that?

>"I was probing your internal ear structure" she explains, scribbling away

Why?

>"So I could compare it to pony internal ear structure to see if there's a difference"

>You shake your head, trying to get rid of the residual ringing

And is there?

>"Not too much, so far as I can tell"

>The scribbling continues for a few minutes, and in the interim you put your holster and cloak back on

>"Now I'm going to probe your eyes..."

>You are reluctant to find out what will happen if she goes pushing things about in there

>They're already bad enough as it is

How's this going to help us figure it out?

>"Well, very little is currently known about changelings, and how their magic works.  Anything and everything I can learn about your perceptive senses, and how you differ from p0nies helps."

Well, hmm, let's see.  I've got two ears, as many eyes, sensitive fingers and a not-that-keen sense of smell.  Evolved from monkeys, hail from a cold as all hell region.  Omnivorous... oh yeah

>You note, as the memory strikes you

I think I seen one of those earlier today

>"You saw a changeling?" yelps Twilight mid eye roll, clearly taken by surprise

>You nod

>"Where?  How far was it?  What was it doing?"

>You hold a hand up against the barrage of questions

I said, I THINK I saw one.  It was hard to tell, it was going around a corner.  

Although I guess there isn't much else that looks like those things anyway, is there...

 

 

>"This is troubling news indeed.  To have them back in Canterlot, of all places, so soon after the wedding..."

The what now

>"It's a long story.  The short of it is, changelings and their queen invaded, and we repelled them.  thoroughly."

So what, you can't keep them out?

>"Well... no."

>You give her your best "really?" face

>"You have to understand, up until you there has been absolutely NO WAY of detecting a disguised changeling.  They look, smell, feel, and if they've observed long enough, act like the real thing.  And even if they haven't, they can manage a fair enough approximation to fool most ponies."

>She pauses for a breath

>"And as far as we know, they have limited mental influence as well."

Well shit, when you put it that way...

>"You now understand the importance of working out how you do this."

Yeah, I do.

>"So, if you'll remove your glasses?"

>You pull your glasses off your face, fold them, and set them on the counter

Just be quick, I don't need my eyes to explode on me

>"Hmmm, it'd be easier if I could just have one of them out to dissect..."

>You hurriedly start getting up

>"I'm joking, relax"

>You settle back down against the wall

>"Hold still, this shouldn't take very long..."

 

 

>First her horn lights up

>Then, a fraction of a second later, everything gains a purple tint

>Like you're wearing purple glasses

>It's just about the oddest feeling you've had in your life

>Having the insides of your eyes ever so gently poked and prodded by a force that's everywhere and nowhere at the same time

>For another half of a minute, the probing continues

>Your vision goes in and out of focus, sometimes as clear as you remember from childhood, before you had to wear glasses

>And sometimes displaying everything as fuzzy, purple tinted blobs

>Then the glow is gone, and your vision returns to its usual mild impairment

>You reach up to rub your eyes-

>"It would be a very bad idea to do that right now"

Okay, uh

Why?

>"You might scratch them"

>You shrug and substitute a lot of blinking, reaching over for your glasses instead

So tell me, ARE my eyes any different?

>"Well, they're much smaller than p0ny eyes"

>You blink again

>"And the lenses are thicker than the lenses in our eyes.  Aside from that, the layout is mostly the same."

>You go to put your glasses back on, but she interrupts you

>"May I see those?" she asks, pointing to your glasses

Long as I get 'em back before I leave

>"Of course" She placates, taking the unfolded glasses in her magical grasp

 

 

>First, she examines the frame, rotating them slowly and paying special attention to the hinges

>Then the bridge, and the nose pads

>And finally, she peers through the lenses

>A rather comical sight, given that her eyes are several times larger than the lenses are

>"These are fine worksp0nyship" she says when she floats them back toward you, apparently satisfied

Yup.

>You waste no time in putting them back on

So, does that help you?

>"Well, this is just the basework.  Establishing your physical characteristics.  We really would need a changeling in order to do tests, figure out how their magic works..."

>Twilight trails off, a thoughtful look in her eye

>"I'll have to talk to my brother"

Are you capable of mental magic?  

Or whatever you called it before

>She thinks for a minute

Wait, nevermind, I know you can do it

>"Huh?"

I did it at my induction party, with the DJ

She still has those records too, if I remember correctly

>"...That shouldn't be possible"

>you shrug

I was drunk.  

>Twilight shakes her head

>"Alright.  Okay.  Well, the answer is yes, but it's very limited.  The target has to be willing, and the unicorn preforming the spell has to have her horn in physical contact with the target's skull, or it doesn't work."

So at least you have something to go on there

>"You're right... you don't seem to be immune..."

>She pauses to think for a moment

>"So that means their method of transmission must be different..."

Well, it sure as hell can't be touch

>You agree

>Twilight sits down rather heavily

 

 

Do you need me for anything else?

>"No... no, you've given me quite a bit to work with"

>You get up and head for the door

>You've unlocked it and are halfway out when she calls to you

>"Anonymous?"

Yeah?

>You look back

>She's in the middle of testing something that came off you

>"Same time next week?"

Sure, I can do that

>"Great"

>Seeing no reason to get in her way, you get the rest of the way out the door, and close it behind you

 

 

>You're on your way to the shop to check a few things before bed when a glimmer catches your eye

>It's a stained glass window, depicting Princess Celestia doing...

>Well, something

>Seeing Celestia, however, reminds you of a request she made of you

>You're supposed to show her sister the thing on your shoulder

>And you have no desire to piss off one of the major ruling figures

>Not right off the bat, anyway

>So now you have to find Luna.

>You vaguely recall something being said about Luna holding Night Court

>So you lurch back into motion and adjust your course appropriately

>Heading for the throne room

 

 

>The Throne Room is mostly empty when you get there, save for a few p0nies beating the tapestries

>You step up to one of the guards in front of the throne room

>Who, compared to the guards you've seen over the past few days, is a very dark color

>Almost black

>And wearing deep purple armor

>He regards you quietly from behind the nose guard of his helmet

Isn't Princess Luna supposed to be here?

>"The Princess usually holds Night Court in this room." He replies stiffly.

>"She usually arrives an hour before now." he elaborates after you stare at him for a bit

Thanks

>You reply

>Then, after a curt nod, you turn and leave

>She ain't here

>You make for the cafeteria, which is also mostly empty

>And the royal breakfast room, or whatever it's called, but that place is empty too

>You are finally forced to try your last resort

>Her bedroom

 

 

>You eventually find your way to that fateful hallway, and advance down it

>At the door stand a pair of guards, resplendent in their midnight blue armor

>They look familiar...

>They also exchange glances as you approach

>Then, they turn, and cross their spears across the door

>You must look more frustrated than you're feeling, as the spears tremble just enough for them to rattle against each other slightly

>Here goes nothing

I have business with the Princess

>"The Princess is not currently accepting visitors" replies the left one, his voice steady

>Welp

>You've done what you can

>But short of taking down a few guards

>Which you're fairly sure you can do, but it would be more trouble than it's worth

>You're not going to be talking to Luna tonight

 

 

>You turn around to head b-

>"Let him through" commands a voice from the hallway behind you

>You finish turning around, to see Princess Celestia in the flesh coming up the hallway

>You nod to her, and she nods back, her expression inscrutable

>The guards wordlessly uncross their spears, and you whip right back around and push through the door

>You have the presence of mind to pause and hold it open as Celestia canters through

>You close it

>And find yourself inside a landing with a Princess

>"You're here for Luna?"

>You nod again

>"Very well."

>She motions toward the stairwell

>"After you, then."

>You mentally shrug, and start climbing stairs

>The dull clink of metal on stone tells you that Celestia is close behind

>Very close

>She sets a fast pace, but then you take steps two at a time anyway

>You crest the last step, and step to the side

>Celestia passes you on the way to her own room

>She pauses briefly before entering, turning to address you.

>"I would suggest you knock" is her comment

>And then she is through the door, closing it behind her

>Leaving you to your thoughts

>And the midnight blue door emblazoned with a brilliant white moon

 

 

>You raise your fist and knock three times upon the door

>Silence reigns for more than a moment

>Many, many moments in fact

>Then the lock on the door  clicks, and it swings open a tad

>Not exactly a sparkling welcome

>But what the hell, the door's open

>You've had worse

>You push it the rest of the way open, and step inside

>The room is almost pitch dark, the curtains across the door and windows blocking out any light that might enter from the outside

>By the dim, dim light there is you can make out a dark mirror of Celestia's room

>Where her room is gold and white, this room is blue and black

>It's an almost identical mirror, save for the telescope in the corner

>You step fully into the room

>Behind you, the door slams shut abruptly, cutting off your only source of light

 

 

>You hear another door open, and then close

>"Sister, what business dost thou have with us at this hour..."

Is this a bad time?

>The lights flare into brilliance, revealing a very surprised and damp looking Princess Luna

>Towel wrapped around her mane and tail, she's standing next to the jewelry rack

>Frozen in the process of putting on one of the bootie things

>For a moment, you stare at each other

>Then she blinks, as if hoping that you might be a waking nightmare

>"'Tis a most inopportune time indeed, creature."

>"What is thy business within our royal chambers?"

I'm supposed to show you something

>"By the authority of whom?"

Your sister

>Princess Luna brings her hoof up to her forehead, closing her eyes for a moment

>"Await us outside our royal chambers."

Sure.

>That tone of voice books no protest, so you make your way back to the door

>stepping outside, you close it behind you

 

 

 

>Ten minutes later, the door opens, and a very different Princess Luna trots out

>Clad in boots, torc and crown, her mane a rippling window into the night sky

>She regards you silently for a moment

>"What is it thee hast to display..."

My name's Anonymous

>"Ah, Anonymous."

I'm supposed to show you my tattoo

>You inform her, pulling your sleeve

>Luna, being slightly smaller than her sister, isn't quite at eye level with your shoulder

>But she doesn't seem to inconvenienced

>For a minute, she takes views it

>No, that's not really an accurate description

>More like she drinks it in, with her eyes

>"Curious... very curious, indeed..."

>She mutters

>"Did my sister bid you do anything else?"

Not that I recall

>"Very well.  We must be going." She notes, heading for the stairs

>Ookay then

>You head for the stairs as well

If ya don't mind my asking, why do you talk in the third person?

>She stumbles a couple steps down

>"Oh!  W-I've been doing that again, haven't I" she responds, her concentration broken

Yeah

>"'Tis a long story"

It's a long staircase, I've got time

>"If you wish."

>Luna clears her throat, organizing her thoughts

>"For this particular tale, we must journey many moons into the past..."

 

 

>As you descend the spiral staircase, Luna relays the tale of her banishment

>The feelings of inadequacy and jealousy towards Celestia and her glorious day

>And the manifestation of these feelings as another consciousness, calling itself Nightmare Moon

>This gives you pause, but then then this place has turned pretty much every other preconception you had on its head anyway

>So you choose not to interrupt

>She narrates her succumbing to the relentless, sinister reasoning of the voice, and its taking over of her body and mind

>Relegating her to a corner while it used her to further its means

>And her eventual banishment to the moon at the hooves of her own sister

>A thousand years of crippling loneliness, with only a raving madp0ny for company

>Nightmare Moon's eventual return to Equestria, and her banishment by the Elements of Harmony

>Blasted away until barely a wisp of contact remained

>And Luna's return to control of her body

>The story reminds you of some of the epics you've read and heard

>But from the point of view of the gods, and not the mortals

>"And so here I am.  A thousand years in the future."

>Ahead of you, her head lowers

>"The buildings have changed, the behaviors and social norms... even the language is almost alien.  I blunder about, my mind still operating in the old ways.  Even now, it is a conscious effort to speak with an I instead of the Royal We."

 

 

>The Lunar Princess in front of you slows, then stops all together

So you're having problems adjusting?

>Her voice is heavy now, weary of the years and the change they have wrought

>"'tis more than that.  We have no common grounds with our subjects; and we alienate them with each passing day.  In this time of hardship, p0nies are coming together more than ever before, and I find myself stuck at a distance.  Unable to help."  

>"To them, we are Luna the Princess; Luna the Aging Relic."

You see yourself as an outsider.

>You state, partially questioning

>"'tis is a fitting way of puttin-"

>The princess stops mid sentence

>You wait for a moment, but nothing else comes out

Princess?

>Nothing happens

You okay?

>She murmurs something too low for you to hear, shuddering slightly on the step

>This ain't good

>You step past her and turn around, peering up at her

>Upon her nose is a rapidly growing black spot

>"She comes!" hisses Luna, the ever growing blackness half way up her nose

>Tears roll down her face, as peers she down at you

>"Nonono not again nononon-"

Fight it, Luna!

>The growth of the spot slows, but not by much

>"Run!  Run and warn Ce-" She half screams, half sobs at you

>And then the blackness has her entire muzzle, and speech is beyond her

 

 

>Luna's mouth begins to laugh in a manner stereotypical of cartoon villains everywhere

>Her eyes locked onto yours, pleading with you to run, to hide

>to do something

>Anything

>You are under no illusions as to what will happen if Nightmare regains control

>And you have no intentions of being her first victim

Well Luna, if you ain't gonna fight it-

>The blackness spreads across her face and up her horn, the pupils of the eyes becoming catlike slits

>"FINALLY!"  booms a voice that is most definitely not Luna's

>"FREEDOM!"

I'll just have to do it for you!

>You cock your left fist back as the thing that was Luna finally catches sight of you with its newly stolen eyes

>The eyes seemed to be the barrier

>As now the blackness accelerates and streaks down the body, covering it almost entirely and transforming its adornments

>Then it begins to work on the horn, driving away the original blue

>"Wha-"

>Your fist, driven by all of the considerable might you possess, smashes into her face

>The effect is spectacular

 

 

>A jolt runs up your arm beyond even the usual shock of punching, causing it to twitch

>Reminds you of the time your brother stuck two paper clips in a power outlet and dared you to touch them

>Nightmare's hooves rise off of the steps they rest on, her head snapping back and left

>In seeming slow motion, she tops out and then collapses, falling to the floor

>The horn, containing only a hint of the original blue on the tip and glowing with faint traces of terrible power, carves a deep score in the wall as the head falls

>As you watch, the blackness on the body rapidly recedes, giving way to the original royal blue

>Back up the body, down the horn, until it's back to its original black point on the nose

>At which point it disappears in a puff of smoke

>you draw your pistol and make it ready, pointing it down at Luna as an added measure of security

>No point in getting zapped if Nightmare's faking

>Although from what Luna told you, she wouldn't resort to this...

>The Alicorn laying on the stairs in front of you groans

>The eyes blink a few times, then open, revealing round pupils

Luna?

>You ask

>As you watch, her hooves come up and feel about on her face and horn

>"We... I... I'm back?"

>That's enough proof for you

>You re holster your pistol

 

 

Are y-

>Is all you get before the princess of the moon leaps from her spot on the floor

>And wraps you in one of the strangest bear hugs you've ever had

>Ever

>Her upper and lower legs are wrapped around your torso

>As are her rather large wings

>Enveloping the two of you in a royal blue, feathery tent

>Her chin rests upon your shoulder

>And you feel hot, salty tears running down onto your neck

>"Thank you..."

>She half sobs, half whispers next to your ear

>...Well then

>You bring your arms up and hug her back

>Partly to comfort her

>Because if anyone needs comforting right now, she does

>And partly because you really don't want to drop her on the floor

>You're fairly sure that would be a very, very bad idea

 

 

Uh

>Luna eventually regains her composure and releases you

>She settles back down on the floor, and brushes herself off

>"Ahem.  We... I... Thank you, Anonymous."

You're welcome?

>Then she winces

Easy there, I had to pop you pretty hard

>Luna holds a hoof up to her face again

>"Whatever it is you did... it worked well beyond expectation."

I wonder why Nightmare picked now to resurge

>You muse

>"She is strongest when I am at my weakest; remembering the tale of my banishment and considering my current predicament saddened me enough to give her an opening to force."

So it was because you're depressed?

>"More or less."

>You move down the stairs until you're beside her, and then take a seat

Well, have you been working on it?

>"How dost thee mean?"

I know for a fact the only way to learn a new language is to expose yourself to it, and practice.  Have you been

 

interacting with your subjects?  Working with them?

>She considers for a moment

>"Our Night Court sits empty, save for the Lunar Guard..."

Well, what about your sister then?

>"Our sister has been occupied with managing the country in the aftermath of the invasion, during the brief time that our royal schedules overlap..."

Shoot, you just gotta get out there and get to know your subjects.

Pick up a hobby!  

 

 

>Luna rises, and begins making her way down the stairs

>You think you can see the faint beginnings of a black eye

>Hehe

>Whoops

Sponsor some musicians and artists, make Night Court somewhere all the night owls want to be!  

>"We had heard a performer most talented recently..." she muses over her shoulder

There you go, that's a start

>After a moment, you continue

Find some time to get to know your Sister again.

>"Why are you so interested in our happiness?"

Because you're another person I feel like helping?

>And because you don't want Nightmare Moon to come back

>But then neither does she, or anyone for that matter

>Better to leave it unsaid

>"W-I don't really know her current disposition towards me..."

And you won't find out unless you try

>"True."

>Silence reigns, and you're nearly at the bottom of the stairs when it hits you

Go play in on the weekly guard poker game!

>"Surely, you jest..."

They wouldn't be a paramilitary organization if they didn't have one.  Hell, I'd go with ya

>"Would you now?"

Of course!  I haven't had a good game since Sig and his crew shipped out for the season a while ago...

>You reach up and adjust your glasses

The point is, you can do it.  You just have to try, instead of moping

 

 

>The two of you reach the bottom of the stairs, and Luna pauses before she opens the door

>"I will consider what you have said, Anonymous."

'S all I can ask for

>"Fare thee well, and thank you once again."

>And with that, she turns and exits the tower

>You follow her through the door and past the guards

>She makes an abrupt left turn towards the private dining room, leaving you alone with your thoughts

>You make your way through the castle and back to your room

>Inside, both Twilight and AppleJack are fast asleep

>You pad your way into the bathroom and use the facilities

>Shed your clothing

>Crawl into the only slightly too small bed

>And fall asleep for the night