It's a Start

I had really began to think he was getting out of his idiotic stage but he just kept doing stupid things like punching mirrors and wrecking weddings and trains and generally looking like a complete and total moron. Not that the situation hadn't changed and now I found myself feeling more sorry than angry at him.

I had sensed distress so fierce in his dream and believed I could help him solve his problems with some of my good old fashioned wisdom. He didn't want my help though and not only for shame of something from his past but for fear of what my reaction would be upon finding it out.

He had begged me, the strong and proud pony in real-life turned into a crying mess had held me back and I had nearly in curiosity ignored him and gone to see what he had been looking at with his hooves gripping the marble of the castle's main balcony so hard I thought it would have collapsed.

I heard loud bangs and they seemed to be part of something that tortured him so I tried not to think what kind of contraption would do such a thing though I suspected it was his firearm that he had explained to me a few days ago being used to kill somepony.

Who however and why was a mystery to me but then he was fiercely against me finding out so why would I snoop and play detective to figure out something that never even took place in my world? At least I thought it was a good excuse to tell myself.

We had visited the Royal Infirmary and a nurse had bandages his hoof up after a Doctor had removes the bits of broken mirror and dressed it and now he was limping slightly as we went forwards to my office. "I think that mirror was over several centuries old" I muttered, though in truth I didn't have a clue how old the mirror was.

Dark Horizon had calmed down and now grumbled at the pain of his hoof and over everything that had transpired in the last few hours. "Thank you for taking me to the Infirmary" he mumbled as we trotted and I shrugged and replied "You are still a guest even if you are the most confusing and unstable we've ever had staying here, at least to my knowledge."

He grimaced and apologised once more "My temper is known throughout the Soviet Republic to be a terrible one, please forgive me" to which I sighed once more and again told him "It's all water under the bridge. I hit you a few times and almost got you killed, you got drunk, blew up a train station, ruined three mares' lives and insulted a baby. I'll let the mirror thing slide though because that hurt you too."

He winced as he put too much pressure on his newly bandaged hoof and murmured "Had I known that punching a mirror would have hurt so much then I'd have chosen to punch something softer." I smiled and pointed out "I thought you were about to punch me for a moment back there but I'm glad you didn't. My hits are fairly weak but you look like you could deal some fair damage."

He grinned a little arrogantly and answered "In my younger days I remember once ripping a metal door to a military food cache clean off to the awe of my comrades. We took the spoils and were victorious and then the entire town called to have us protect them." I rolled my eyes and thought all stallions were the same for their macho ways, though it was an interesting piece of information to file away for later.

He was happy though and that was the main thing. It scared me that he could flip in personality from calm to angry to pathetic on a whim but he seemed to have it all under control now and was smiling despite the slight pain he was in. Ponies had their bad days and good days but his days were susceptible to anything.

We talked no more as we passed along towards my office, which had become a hive of activity now that it had paper and Equestrian law books dotting around like landscapes as Melody and Anti worked hard to see what I could do to help out around the castle. I'd asked my sister for some basic paperwork to begin with but her words were "Leave me to deal with this Luna, you do not understand such matters" which had led to quite the quarrel.

"So my suggestions have been well received?" he asked as we arrived at my office and I smiled, pushing the door open with my magic and revealing all that was going on inside. "We decided to start off from the beginning with some easy things; we've got the official Equestrian Laws over which to govern the state and are making sure that whatever I do is not in breach of anything my sister has written down in the last a thousand years.

I saw my two little ponies talking about something whilst in the middle of scanning page after page of a ridiculously huge book that seemed to extend over my desk. "This is Melody I introduced to him to the rather grim looking mare who bid me a goodnight before introducing herself to him. "This is Anti" I introduced next whom seemed to be in a jolly mood and that made it his mission in life at that moment to get up and shake the Supreme Commander's hoof, which he did with much vigour.

"I must say I am very pleased you heeded my words Princess" he acknowledged with a nod towards my helpers. "So have you explained they are not only drawing up documents but signing them as well?" he asked and Melody answered instead of me in a rather dry tone saying "I'm going to be in charge of the night Economy supposedly and Anti here will be handling the general night problems of Bureaucracy that I don't really see the point of, but that's just what Princess Luna and we wanted to ask you about."

He blinked and looked from them to me and I shrugged sheepishly. "The thing is there isn't anything for me to actually do regarding the night. My sister denies me to change anything regarding the day which I have no ruler ship over so cannot touch according to the law and the night has nothing the day has not already got sorted out. I can literally go nowhere with anything as there is nothing to go to" I explained at a loss of what to do.

He shook his mane out of his eyes and asked "What do you mean by all this?" Anti stood up and explained "Diplomacy takes place in the day and all dignitaries report to Celestia, Royal events take place in the day and when they don't they are still handled by Celestia at the request of the nobles, Industrial Statistic meetings and economic meetings also take place in the day as well as the Industry itself and well, pretty much all ponies have problems with something during the day and never the night. I hate to say it but the day pretty much rules over the night."

I looked down in almost defeat before the first battle and asked "We hoped you'd have an idea since you yourself are a ruler and live in modern times, I am out of fashion and Melody and Anti don't know what to do with the system you propose so can you help me?"

He stood there with a frown on his muzzle and stroked his chin that was growing into the beginnings of a goatee that I thought made him look all the more respectable if not cute. "For a start what did you intend for these two to do?" he directed towards Anti and Melody, Melody who blew some hair out of her face.

"Well as I said anything to do with handling the economy at night and for Anti, well just the general things really" I said, not really thinking that deeply about it and Dark Horizon smiled at me as a parent would a child and explained "Ok then here's what will happen. Melody you are now the Night Minister for Finance and Anti you are now General Secretary of Night Affairs."

Melody and Anti looked at one another and then at me and I nodded and I held my hooves up in confusion, the titles were very bureaucratic but then my sister would really like that if she even paid me any heed. I'd tried so very hard to convince her to give me a chunk of her mountain of paperwork but it ended in her forbidding interfering with anything of the day.

"Well that's great but you see there are no such positions as that actually existing in Equestria" Melody explained as if it were obvious and Dark Horizon, sitting down waved his bandaged hoof and told Melody "Draw up a book that will instil administrators to the castle for at least the Night. You will be the first of these and Princess Luna will sign a declaration beneath your names that gives you power over certain areas and afterwards you will sign a contract and take a pledge to the Princess that the Princess will have to draw up herself" he said looking towards me.

I gulped at the thought of drawing up contracts and having to think of what to put down but he smiled at me and waved it all off and ordered "Enough of those now however, tell me what the current state of the Equestrian Economy is."

Melody levitated a small folder into his hooves and I saw it read "This Month's Report." "Nopony organises what is the full picture around here but I dug into the past month to get a look and can say that our trade is the only thing that keeps this country afloat right now. We don't actually have a lot of money in the treasury but we have grain and Industry through the roof and due to the fact that every nation trades with us that gives us so enough money to keep treading water.

I had to put a hoof up here and ask "So where is all of the money going if we earn so much?" Melody shrugged and replied "There's a reason why our land is the most peaceful and well kept. We spend it on maintaining everything from roads to houses to bridges to stadiums to simply giving gifts to struggling countries like the Crystal Empire in the form of priceless art, gold and gems. I mean come on there are festivals practically every other week what do you expect, the economy is so very lean, if some disaster were to strike let's say Manehatten we'd all find ourselves in a world of worry."

He seemed puzzled by some of the things he had been reading and sighed explaining "All of this takes place in the day meaning we cannot touch it. We need bits if we wish to do anything so how are we going to get more?" he asked and I shrugged and replied "Taxes?"

He scowled at me as if I was evil incarnate and replied "That is not fair on the people, no we must find a way to earn more money that can be paid directly into a private treasury for the Night only so your sister doesn't try to stop you by giving that money away. Minister for Finance you are in charge of doing this" he said pointing to Melody who seemed to dislike being called Minister for Finance and blew a lock of her hair out of her face.

"Now we need to create a reason for ponies and dignitaries to deal with you at night and not just your sister in the day. To do that we need to get ponies interested in the Night to show it is just as capable and respectable as the day" he went on, beginning to pace. It was impressive just to watch him work and I asked "How about stargazing?" He thought a moment and shook his head explaining "We need something that builds your reputation and is attributed only to you. We need something that you've done; maybe some kind of night festival to celebrate you would be a good start. The General Secretary of Night Affairs will handle this" he said pointing to Anti who saluted and began to scribble something down on a notepad with his magic.

I was more than impressed, I was overwhelmed with so many thoughts swimming in my mind all at once and being unable to stick in place. "What of the Night guard?" I piped up and everypony looked over, Dark Horizon asking "What about them?" I explained "Well it's stupid but my sister has so many guards whilst I have nothing but a token force to show my strength."

It had always been a sore spot but then it wasn't important. Dark Horizon seemed to see the look in my eyes and asked Melody "Surely the treasury can handle a few more guards on the payroll?"

She smirked and replied "We're not that uptight, I'm just saying that right now we couldn't really build a skyscraper unless we enlisted some support from businesses and… that's it!" she said as she began to scribble something down furiously.

I frowned at her but decided to leave them to their work and Dark Horizon continued "Somepony needs to take time to find a way to spread the word about a new recruitment program for the Night Guard. Make sure the pay is better by a slight to the day guard and ensure that it is seen by all to show that the night is back in power."

"Anti can do that, he has a printing press, we'll pay you of course Anti" I pointed to him and he smiled, shaking his head and saying "It would be a pleasure to print them for free your majesty. I feel that you are going to bring something new and inspiring to Equestria and it is the least I can do to move it along."

I shook my head not backing down. "Melody, make sure that Anti gets paid for anything he dos in the name of the crown or else I'll have you both clapped in Irons and thrown in the dungeon to rot" I said jokingly. They stared at me and I could see that my joke was not well received and so the Supreme Commander went on "You heard your Princess now you have work to do!"

I was amazed by what Dark Horizon was bringing together with his ideas. Although I was still sad that my sister couldn't co-operate and allow me to help her with what we were doing now hopefully she would see our efficiency and maybe take some of Dark Horizon's ideas and use them to get more time for herself.

We left them and began walking down the hallway towards the throne room; Dark Horizon was smiling and very pleased with himself for helping out. I was myself very happy with the events that had transpired and would be ever more excited when they began to go into play.

"Contemplating how you are going to take over Equestria with your two ministers to be and your non-existent treasury." I knew that was a better joke than the one I'd attempted but the thought of taking over Equestria made the Nightmare Moon memories sting and I couldn't help but grimace slightly.

He sensed something was wrong and looked over at me, his own smile losing form and he apologised "I'm sorry Princess; I didn't mean to offend you in any way." I shook my head and replied "Don't be ridiculous… it's just that the memories of the past are hard to get away from me. They just haunt me every now and then but I've come to terms with the fact with what I did."

We stood at the open gates to the throne room and he looked from me to the throne and in that thick accent of his he asked "Do you ever think about it?" I took a moment to understand what he was asking and had to ask "Sorry Supreme Commander but what did you say?"

He looked serious and pointed with a hoof to Celestia's throne atop a platform and with a red carpet leading up to it. Guards would stand there in the day but at night the room was empty. "Do you think about the power? Think about how you could have had the throne all to yourself?"

Why he'd asked a question like that out of the blue was a little off-putting and it made my voice stick in my throat and I put a hoof to my muzzle as I tried to think of something to say. He kept staring at me intensely and in the end I had no choice but to say "I thought about it a lot in the first few months. I still think about it and the way things would have gone had I claimed power. I would have killed my sister and taken her power for my own and ruled Equestria, maybe extended my evil to other reaches of the world. If my sister hadn't wielded the elements of Harmony to defeat me then I would have done it too and not regretted a thing."

He nodded, his head tilted to the side as he seemed interested particularly in the elements of harmony and taking my hoof told me "To not think about it is a bad idea. You are lucky however that you've gotten over what you almost did. You killed nopony and suffered greatly for what you could have done. What can I say about me?" he looked away and trotted into the throne room.

I followed him swiftly, stopping him and asking "You think I've gotten over my past deeds? Your dreams are haunted greatly but I dream sometimes too. I see it in the eyes of my subjects, in some more than others. When I got back it was pure fear and now it is just a slight weariness but it is still there. The judgement and the tales they spin about the disgraced sister of the great Princess Celestia."

I sat back and tried not to tear up. It would look weak to cry in front of the Supreme Commander right now and I didn't want to be seen as some pathetic mare that couldn't take a heavy conversation without breaking down.

He smirked and got up onto my sister's throne, perching himself upon it and pretending he was some kind of ruler. "You know I've done terrible things. I know that I've done terrible things as well. Back in my world the United Republic knows only that I am a hero of the Revolution. The one who cast off our shackles and freed us from those that oppressed us, they believe in me to lead them to the future and what do you think I think of them?" he asked with his tone still light but a little bit dark at the same time.

I put my fore-hooves up and asked "I don't know what you are trying to show me here but I'm not in the mood. Thank you for helping me but I really don't want to do this right now." He nodded his head and stood up, brushing the throne down and remarking "I suppose I can be dower but to answer my own question I never cared about my people, not for a long time. I set out to avenge my family, then to free the ponies of Equestria and then to spread Ponyism, the ideology of the Soviet Ponies but in the end it was me playing a god."

"I deserve fifty times your punishment for the crimes I committed against the people. The dreams I have are just a little part of what I deserve. You know now that I think about it, this eternal life and all this baggage I just don't know why I bother. Why do you both Luna? What makes you as a ruler that is loved by none and feared by some get up to raise the moon?" he asked coming down to sit next to me and look out the window with me at the moon.

I focused and thought hard before responding "Ponies depend on me. The moon is my job, always has been even if my sister took it over when she banished me. I have a duty to perform and no matter what ponies' think of me I will do it without complaint" I looked away and tried to think optimistic about the night in light of my little speech.

"You and your help are much appreciated though. Hopefully some ponies will think about Princess Luna when they hear about how great the night is when Anti figure out how to make me look good." I smiled trying to change the topic of conversation.

"You already look good" he grunted and for a minute there I wasn't sure if that was his dry attempt at a flirt or just a simple compliment. I raised an eyebrow and asked "So you dream badly and you think bad thoughts. Is there anything good about your land and the people you lead or are they as dower as you" I asked jokingly, hopefully my humour being well received.

"The Ponies of the United Republic are the strongest in the world. Twice that of any Zebras or Griffons and more solid under the bad circumstances they have. They live on the minimum of grain, have a minimum of personal items, some handed down through generations and most stick to tradition though it is not required. They work hard in the Factories, they plough the tough terrain and they march to the anthem of the U.R.S.P with their heads held high. If I was anything like them I would have shot myself by now" Dark Horizon scowled and rubbed his eyes as if he was tired of just thinking about it.

I sighed "You know you have months until you have to go back. Why don't you talk about lighter topics and leave the dower stuff for when you return?" I asked and he chuckled and answered "You think a dower pony like me has any light topics to talk about? Well you do the talking, I'm sick of using my tongue. Your sister is light incarnate so why don't you tell me all about her?"

I bit my lip and cursed my big mouth. "Celestia is just Celestia, you know she raises the son and rules over everypony and is loved by everypony due to her great leadership." He grinned and shook his head. "Surely you know more about your sister than that? I worked all that out just by looking at her. I thought you defeated a few evils together once upon a time."

My ears went flat and I sighed in sadness now and said "Well yes but that was years ago, centuries, in fact millennia and she has forgotten this. She prefers to think that she has always known best and has always been the leader just because she always took the lead doesn't mean I don't know how to lead a nation as well."

His grin widened and he pointed out "Look who's getting dower now huh. So you have big sister issue it doesn't matter because you are lucky my little Princess" he playfully mocked. "My friend Palade had to grow up with thirteen brothers and sisters, you have no idea what that will do to the mind of a guy having to share a two bedroom house with all of those annoying ponies."

He was laughing as if that were funny but to me it sounded quite sad and poverty stricken and reminded me of the times I'd lived in, though if the houses needed to be extended they usually would be.

He seemed happy and regarding what I'd seen earlier that was something to be thankful of. I felt happy too for some reason. The masses didn't love or respect me, my sister thought I was useless and I was still apparently on bad terms with coming to grips with what I'd done in my past and yet at that exact moment, talking to Dark Horizon and watching the moon just seemed to me like I was having the time of my life as he carried on talking about his friend and the ridiculous situations they got into.

"He's a strange one, he's got problems and all but maybe I can call him a friend for now. As long as he helps me draw up those damned contracts and doesn't go round kissing anymore brides" I thought to myself as we talked the night away before departing come the morning.