"Why did Luna want us ta come, Twi? Ah mean, it's not like we can do anythin' now." Applejack said. "An honestly ah don't wanna mess with a pony that can do all this."
"The letter said the pony himself has been handled and that it's now safe to come. Luna was very clear that she wanted us for a specific reason." Twilight responded.
"Well it'd be nice to know why." Rarity chimed in, "I could really do without being in the same area that this...pony is in as well."
"You scared of a little fight, Rarity?" Rainbow asked, jokingly. "I'll take him on!"
"Like I said, Luna assured me it's safe. So there's NO fighting, Rainbow." Twilight said sternly. Rainbow cut her eyes to the side, annoyed. The six mares went into the hole where the castle doors once stood. Fluttershy and rarity squealed when they saw blood on the statue that had impaled a guard the previous night. Princess Luna heard the noise and glided down to the group to greet and assure them. Right beside her they saw a hooded figure come, too. His appearance unnerved the six mares.
"It's ok. Don't be alarmed." Luna said, "I know it looks bad but trust me things are all under control. We are still cleaning the mess that was made. I'm happy you came, Twilight. I need all of you for what is about to happen, but we need to discuss this somewhere private."
"Where is Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked.
"That's apart of what we need to discuss, Twilight." Luna answered. The hooded pony remained unmoving and silent. "She is unharmed so you need not worry. Follow me to my room. We need to begin quickly." The Elements id as they were instructed as the group left the throne room. The hooded pony stayed right by Luna's side as they walked, as if he were her body guard. Twilight looked at him as they made their way, wondering who this pony was. She couldn't help but notice when Luna looked over at him with concern. There was a subtle energy that Twilight could feel between Luna and the pony that seemed familiar to her. It then dawned on Twilight that they were having a telepathic conversation.
"These are the defenders that stood against Discord and the Changlings? These are the mares who freed you from Nightmare Moon?" Drakken said using his telepathy.
"These are six fillies. What on earth could they accomplish?"
"Drakken, stop being so critical." Luna responded, "You may have been the first chosen, but they are strong together. Give them a chance."
"A chance to mess up and get us killed?" He said back.
"Drakken...you need to trust me." She replied.
"I do, Luna." His voice became sincere. "I'll give this a shot but I still think this may be a mistake."
The group entered Lunas bed chamber and the door closed behind them. Luna and Drakken turned to face the six mares and examined them closely. Drakkens eyes were concealed by his hood, making them unaware that he wasn't like them.
"To start, the pony who attacked the castle did so mistakenly. He is not an enemy of Equestria." Luna stated, "In fact this is him who stands before you." The six friends all took a step back out of fear. "Don't be alarmed. He is actually a close friend of mine. One I've known since I was a filly. He was once a good friend of Celestias as well, however things are complicated between them now." Drakken snorted out of annoyance but Luna shot him a look that made him be quiet once more. "You all need to understand that my sister has not been completely...honest with all of you. But she can explain that herself. You remember how I asked all of you to judge Nyx's actions so I could better judge her? Well I need you to do the same for my sister. I have been put into a situation that I can't handle alone."
"But why us?" Twilight asked.
"Because I know the six of you will do whats right for Equestria. Celestia is my sister and I can't judge her unbiased." Luna admitted, "I know you all will find it difficult as well to do just that but I need you to. For everyones sake, even hers." The six mares nodded in agreement to do this, though they were all still unsure of doing so. "Now, all of you need to properly meet Drakken." she motioned towards the hooded pony. He took his robes off to reveal his dragon-like appearance.
They stared in awe at him.
"Wh...what is he?" Fluttershy asked.
"I'm a dragonbreed." Drakken said. "And I'd like to be acknowledged as actually being here."
"Drakken, don't condescend." Luna told him. "This isn't something you see everyday, you know,"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you." Fluttershy said, "I'm just a little...frightened of you." Drakken smiled.
"Haha I guess I do have that effect." He said rubbing the back of his head. "I'm really nothing to be afraid of unless you threaten Luna." The six mares looked at each other confused by his change of tone. "Look I know I'm a little intimidating but honestly, you six haven't done anything to cause me to be harsh towards you.
I'm sorry."
"It-it's ok." Fluttershy said.
"I actually look forward to getting to know you guys." He spoke, "Honestly I just need to learn how to be a little more...trusting of ponies. You're not all like Celestia."
"Huh?" Rainbow Dash said, "What's wrong with Princess Celestia?"
"Like I said, that is HER story to tell." Luna said looking at Drakken. He just stuck out his tongue at her causing the others to laugh a little. Luna rolled her eyes. "See what I deal with? Ok, so there is one more thing about Drakken you need to know."
"What is it, Princess?" Twilight asked.
"Well...There's a seventh Element of Harmony...and he's the seventh."
The six mares walked into Celestias room to do as Luna had instructed. Celestia was looking out her window when they entered. She turned around and smiled at them.
"Twilight, I'm glad to see my sister is taking care of things accordingly." She said.
"Princess, we were told that you had to tell us something. It's involved in your judgement." Twilight said.
"Yes...all six of you sit down. This will take awhile." The girls sat down around Celestia as she began the tale. "Drakken was brought to our family when Luna and I were still very young fillies by our father. His village had been wiped out by some unknown force. My father found him on the riverside by the Dragonbreeds ruins.
Drakken was very...closed off to meeting us at first. Then he met Luna. The thing about Dragonbreeds is they find their life partner at a very young age. They grow up with that pony and one day get married. Our parents knew this and knew Drakken loved Luna. Luna actually felt the same for him after one night, although she was young at the time and couldn't distinguish those feelings. To them love was just a best friendship. We three grew up together after our parents left to be with Erra."
"Who is Erra?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Erra is the creator of all things. But a long time ago a war began here over Erra, so He took away what they called religion in order to save His creation." the six mares all seemed intruiged by this. Celestia continued, "We can speak more on that another time. You have a duty to fulfill right now so we'll continue. Drakken was more hurt than me or my sister by our parents passing. He had served as my fathers personal apprentice and body guard for his teen years. We all mourned when they left and promised them we'd carry on the were all three unseperable, except when Drakken and Luna needed alone time together. I turned my focus to ruling the kingdom. When Luna began becoming depressed that nopony would see her night, both Drakken and I took notice. He was always by her side and always told her how amazing she did at the night. She truly was and still is amazing at it. One day she begged me to let a day pass where it was only nighttime so ponies of our kingdom would see what she did for them. At first I'd told her that we could but I needed to inform the kingdom so there wouldn't be chaos. I had all intentions to do so but then our people began fighting. The war between pegusi, earth ponies, and unicorns broke out and lasted until Hearth Warmings Eve. By that time I had forgotten all about it and Luna started her turn into Nightmare Moon. Drakken had been sent away to help establish the land. Upon his return they were going to get married. My instinct as an older sister had kicked in however and I told Luna she wasn't ready for it. I told her she had to wait and that I wouldn't let the wedding happen at that time...I was entirely selfish to do such a thing. That's what caused Luna to turn. She wouldn't lower the moon. She said if I wasn't going to give her what she deserved, she would take it by force. I didn't know how to calm her. Drakken walked in on me sending her to the moon. He tried to kill me and would have succeeded. But I sent him to the edge of the universe. I trapped him there...and I thought it would have killed him. I couldn't bear to do it myself...I cared for Drakken as a brother. When Luna returned, I'd told her he was dead. I told her he tried to kill me and that I in turned killed him...It devastated her. When he returned both her and I were shocked. I was honestly happy that he was back though...Luna deserves to be with him and he deserves to be with her...I was young...I made a horrible mistake and I've regretted it every day of my life."
When she finished the six mares stared at her in shock. Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity had tears in their eyes. Rainbow and AJ looked away and began comforting their friends. "Why...why would you lie to the entire kingdom about that night?" Twilight asked out of anger. "Why would you lie to me?"
"Twilight...I've never known how to deal with my mistakes. Celestia admitted as she began to tear up as well. "I'm looked at to be the leader of an entire kingdom.
To admit I was wrong...I didn't know how my subjects would react...I didn't want anypony thinking less of me."
"Everyone makes mistakes, Celestia!" She retorted. The others looked at her, shocked she would speak out like that against the Princess. "Nopony is expected to be perfect! But you can't hide something like that...it shows that you don't trust us."
"You're right...and I deserve whatever punishment awaits me. Do what is right, Twilight. Do what I couldn't for my people." Celestia said. The elements all walked out of the door as Celestia turned back to the window. "The fate of Equestria depends on all of you." She said to herself.