History Fanfic / Whispers

A ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' fanfic by Chrono Ryono.

* DownerBeginning: The ActionPrologue details Luna's transformation into Nightmare Moon [[DoomedByCanon and subsequent defeat]]. The story moves past it pretty quickly though.

* VillainousBSOD: Nightmare Moon devolves from SmugSnake to full-on BigNo after being blinded by the sun and subjected to a BreakingLecture.

* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Moonthistle and Aurora's introductions. Moonthistle gets an arguably stronger moment that same chapter with her aforementioned CrazyPrepared saddlebag-toolbox.

-->'''Celestia''': "Dark magic, or rather, ''LampshadeHanging evil'' magic. In her normal frame of mind, Luna would detest the implication that her night was in any way associated with evil."

* BerserkButton: Arcanus has two - mention his brothers, or question his mentor Celestia.
* BiTheWay: Moonthistle jokingly warns Arcanus that if he doesn't hurry up and chat up Lady Stella, she'd consider doing it herself.
* {{Bookworm}}: Arcanus, as he's an {{Expy}} of Twilight Sparkle. It's even his special talent.
** CuteBookworm: He's also stated to be rather attractive.

* CrazyPrepared: Moonthistle's saddlebag, which seems to be packed with a wide array of tools for even the most obscure scenarios.

* DarkIsNotEvil:
-->'''Celestia''': "Dark magic, [[LampshadeHanging or rather]], ''[[LampshadeHanging evil]]'' [[LampshadeHanging magic]]. In her normal frame of mind, Luna would detest the implication that her night was in any way associated with evil."
* DeadpanSnarker: Nightmare Moon, as usual.
** Aurora and Moonthistle look to be this way, especially toward each other.

* GenreSavvy: Arcanus has become this by reading a lot. [[InformedAttribute It's not really demonstrated properly beyond basic common sense at first]], but he eventually gets a genuine moment where he [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] a [[spoiler:subverted]] case of InnocentInnuendo.
** GenreBlind: He somehow got the idea that ThePowerOfLove and ThePowerOfFriendship have no merit despite living in a world ''built on them.'' Maybe he's a fan of cynical works?
** DangerouslyGenreSavvy: Nightmare Moon charges Celestia to interrupt her first attempt at activating the Elements of Harmony, and then attempts an ArmorPiercingQuestion to counter the second.

* INeedAFreakingDrink: Arcanus after his BerserkButton is pushed in chapter 1, despite having asserted only moments earlier that he doesn't like wine.

-->'''NMM''': "What would father say, knowing that we... that [[WhatTheHellHero you used his gift to do this to me?]]"

Relations between the alicorn sisters have grown turbulent and unstable in recent months, until one sister finally crosses a line that forces the other's reluctant hoof. Nightmare Moon's insurrection is ultimately averted and the natural cycle is restored, but that night's tragic events will persist in the memories of both its witnesses for years to come.

The story then shifts to [[OriginalCharacter Arcanus]] - Celestia's brightest student of the era - to focus on his feelings on the ordeal and the direction it will set for his life.

* [[AbsurdlyYouthfulMother Absurdly]] [[InvertedTrope Elderdly]] [[AbsurdlyYouthfulMother Mother]]: Lady Silvermane is an ''elderly'' mother with youthful children (possibly younger than the mane six). She may have been a ChristmasCake [[IWasQuiteALooker in her youth]].
* ActionPrologue: The Nightmare Moon battle in chapters 1 and 2.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Nightmare Moon attempts one, but Celestia brushes it aside.

* ArtifactTitle: Its title was changed to ''Whispers'' specifically to [[DefiedTrope defy]] this trope.
* {{Backstory}}: Originally posted under the title ''As Night And Day'', a oneshot fic depicting the Nightmare Moon incident that spent most of its first half introducing [[OriginalCharacter Arcanus]].
** Averted from chapter 3 onward, which introduces and develops completely original plot elements (since its original premise has been resolved).
* BerserkButton: As patient and disciplined as Arcanus is, there are two ways to rile him up: a) mention his [[RoyalBrat spoiled brothers]] or b) insult Celestia, or his mother.
* BlindedByTheLight: Celestia empowers the sun and increases its brightness to blind and incapacitate Nightmare Moon.
* {{Bookworm}}: Arcanus ([[{{Expy}} just like Twilight Sparkle]]). It's even his special talent.
** CuteBookworm: Attention is drawn to his looks, with his mother insisting that [[ChickMagnet ladies will line up for his favour]]... and that, in her youth, that line might have [[ParentalIncest included]] [[{{Squick}} her]].
* BreakThemByTalking: Celestia lectures Nightmare Moon on the virtues of the Elements of Harmony after [[ThePowerOfTheSun incapacitating]] [[BlindedByTheLight her]].
* CrazyPrepared: Moonthistle, who has packed her saddlebag with a bunch of tools she figures ''might'' come in handy at some point.
-->--'''Moonthistle''': "[[LampshadeHanging I made a list.]]"
* CurbStompBattle: The end of the Celestia vs NMM fight, [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome which is the only part we get to see.]]

* DeadpanSnarker: Nightmare Moon, of course.
** Aurora looks to be shaping up into one too.
* DisappearedDad: Arcanus's father is mentioned (but never named or seen). Celestia points out that they [[BondingOverMissingParents have this in common]].
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: [[CrazyPrepared Moonthistle's saddlebag explanation]] in chapter 4.
* EvilIsNotAToy: Luna willingly (but rashly) saturated herself in evil magic in order to become strong enough to [[GreenEyedMonster step out of her sister's shadow]]. Becoming [[MadGod Nightmare Moon]] probably wasn't in the plan.
* {{Expy}}: Arcanus is effectively a blend of Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy, but lacks the former's [[DeadpanSnarker aptitude for snark]] and isn't quite as reticent as the latter.
** Aurora seems to be based on Rarity, and Moonthistle ''very loosely'' on Pinkie Pie.
* ForegoneConclusion: The ActionPrologue doesn't finish until halfway through chapter 2, but anyone who's seen the ColdOpening of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E1MareInTheMoon the first episode]] already knows which sister wins.
* GenreSavvy: Arcanus has become this by reading a lot. He [[InformedAttribute doesn't demonstrate it properly beyond basic common sense]] (like "loose magic in the air means something's off" and "getting involved in a fight between gods is a bad idea") until chapter 3, where he [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] a [[spoiler:subverted]] case of InnocentInnuendo.
** GenreBlind: He somehow got the idea that ThePowerOfFriendship and ThePowerOfLove have no merit, despite living in a world ''built on them.''
** DangerouslyGenreSavvy: Nightmare Moon, who charges Celestia to interrupt her first attempt at activating the Elements of Harmony and then attempts an ArmorPiercingQuestion to counter the second.
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Moonthistle tracing her tongue along the bottleneck "suggestively." [[DontExplainTheJoke She's not doing it for the taste of beer.]]
** The unnamed father of Silvermane's children apparently got her drunk before seducing her.
* HopeSpot: Nightmare Moon insists that Celestia can't use the Elements of Harmony without Luna's friendship and loyalty intact. [[YouShouldKnowThisAlready She's wrong]], making this a rare [[InvertedTrope villainous]] example of the trope.
* INeedAFreakingDrink: Arcanus after his aforementioned BerserkButton is pushed, despite asserting moments before that he doesn't like wine ([[RunningGag which seems to be a recurring theme as of chapter 4]]).
* IncurableCoughOfDeath: Silvermane's health is stated to be declining, and the only symptoms we've seen so far are a nasty cough (that worsens with stress) and, as of chapter 4, a bloodied handkerchief.
* InnocentInnuendo: Arcanus overhears his brother and a (married) mare "[[GettingCrapPastTheRadar in the throes of passion]]" and assumes it to be this trope. [[spoiler:Subverted.]]
* JawDrop: Silvermane after learning of Luna's betrayal and subsequent banishment.
* LampshadedDoubleEntendre: Moonthistle calling out Aurora's choice of words:
-->-- '''Moonthistle''': "Heh, inner workings. [[WesternAnimation/Archer Phrasing-]]"
** Arcanus muses that Stella's phrase "hoof it" would inspire [[ADateWithRosiePalms similarly childish glee]].
* MoodWhiplash: The story begins by detailing the infamous fight between Celestia vs Nightmare Moon and the collateral damage - both physical and emotional - it causes. [[ReverseCerebusSyndrome It then moves on to Arcanus deciding to find a girlfriend.]]
* NoodleIncident: The silence weed incident.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Most of the Celestia vs Nightmare Moon fight happens off page.
* PurpleProse: Quite evident in the first chapter, which qualifies a ''lot'' of things with needless adverbs and indulges in a great deal of SaidBookism. Tapers off a bit in subsequent chapters.
* RoyalWe: Celestia uses this, and [[ShownTheirWork only when actually speaking on behalf of the kingdom]] instead of as a simple replacement for "I." She even begins some sentences with it, then pauses to correct herself since she's speaking personally, one-on-one, rather than making a formal announcement.
* SophisticatedAsHell: Irontail chewing out Golden Ace in chapter 2 over the matter of ''formal conduct'' and capping it off with:

* TeleportSpam: Celestia seems to favour this strategy, as noted by the narration: "Rapid teleportation, how mundane."
* ThickerThanWater: Celestia compares Arcanus's rocky relationship with his brothers to her own relationship with Luna, insisting that "for better or worse, siblings are all you'll have left someday."
* TitleDrop: Appears to be a recurring theme, as all its chapters are named after a phrase contained within.
* VillainousBSOD: Nightmare Moon devolves from [[SmugSnake smugness]] to full-on BigNo after being blinded by the sun and subjected to a BreakingLecture.
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: Celestia mentions that she has never had a true relationship because of this, and how long into the future - beyond the lives of Arcanus, his descendants and then ''their'' descendants - she will still be waiting, alone, for her sister's return.
* YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe: Mostly averted, with correct distinctions made between thee/thou and the -est/-eth suffixes, but some comments draw attention to what slip ups there are.
** ShownTheirWork: Chapter 3 has a brief sequence where a soldier addresses a superior as ''thou'' (normally used for familiar or informal address to those of ''equal or lower'' social standing) and is called out on it. This sequence appears to exist [[{{Padding}} solely for this purpose]].
* YouNeedToGetLaid: Celestia tasks Arcanus to "study the magic of love" (an [[SarcasmMode oddly coincidental]] parallel to Twilight Sparkle's future task), which is essentially a glorified and extremely formal way of delivering this trope. His mother immediately picks up on the subtext, and finds it highly amusing (and agrees with it).

A ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' fanfic by Chrono Ryono.

Relations between the alicorn sisters have grown turbulent and unstable in recent months, until one sister finally crosses a line that forces the other's reluctant hoof. Nightmare Moon's insurrection is ultimately averted and the natural cycle is restored, but that night's tragic events will persist in the memories of both its witnesses for years to come.

The story then shifts to [[OriginalCharacter Arcanus]] - Celestia's brightest student of the era - to focus on his feelings on the ordeal and the direction it will set for his life.

It can be found [[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/16112/Whispers here]].

----
!This fanfic provides examples of the following tropes:

* [[AbsurdlyYouthfulMother Absurdly]] [[InvertedTrope Elderdly]] [[AbsurdlyYouthfulMother Mother]]: Lady Silvermane is an ''elderly'' mother with youthful children (possibly younger than the mane six). She may have been a ChristmasCake [[IWasQuiteALooker in her youth]].
* ActionPrologue: The Nightmare Moon battle in chapters 1 and 2.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Nightmare Moon attempts one, but Celestia brushes it aside.
-->'''NMM''': "What would father say, knowing that we... that [[WhatTheHellHero you used his gift to do this to me?]]"
-->'''Celestia''': "[[ShutUpHannibal Nothing.]] Father isn't here, Luna. He was ''never'' here."
* ArtifactTitle: Its title was changed to ''Whispers'' specifically to [[DefiedTrope defy]] this trope.
* {{Backstory}}: Originally posted under the title ''As Night And Day'', a oneshot fic depicting the Nightmare Moon incident that spent most of its first half introducing [[OriginalCharacter Arcanus]].
** Averted from chapter 3 onward, which introduces and develops completely original plot elements (since its original premise has been resolved).
* BerserkButton: As patient and disciplined as Arcanus is, there are two ways to rile him up: a) mention his [[RoyalBrat spoiled brothers]] or b) insult Celestia, or his mother.
* BlindedByTheLight: Celestia empowers the sun and increases its brightness to blind and incapacitate Nightmare Moon.
* {{Bookworm}}: Arcanus ([[{{Expy}} just like Twilight Sparkle]]). It's even his special talent.
** CuteBookworm: Attention is drawn to his looks, with his mother insisting that [[ChickMagnet ladies will line up for his favour]]... and that, in her youth, that line might have [[ParentalIncest included]] [[{{Squick}} her]].
* BreakThemByTalking: Celestia lectures Nightmare Moon on the virtues of the Elements of Harmony after [[ThePowerOfTheSun incapacitating]] [[BlindedByTheLight her]].
* CrazyPrepared: Moonthistle, who has packed her saddlebag with a bunch of tools she figures ''might'' come in handy at some point.
-->--'''Moonthistle''': "[[LampshadeHanging I made a list.]]"
* CurbStompBattle: The end of the Celestia vs NMM fight, [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome which is the only part we get to see.]]
* DarkIsNotEvil:
-->'''Celestia''': "Dark magic, [[LampshadeHanging or rather]], ''[[LampshadeHanging evil]]'' [[LampshadeHanging magic]]. In her normal frame of mind, Luna would detest the implication that her night was in any way associated with evil."
* DeadpanSnarker: Nightmare Moon, of course.
** Aurora looks to be shaping up into one too.
* DisappearedDad: Arcanus's father is mentioned (but never named or seen). Celestia points out that they [[BondingOverMissingParents have this in common]].
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: [[CrazyPrepared Moonthistle's saddlebag explanation]] in chapter 4.
* EvilIsNotAToy: Luna willingly (but rashly) saturated herself in evil magic in order to become strong enough to [[GreenEyedMonster step out of her sister's shadow]]. Becoming [[MadGod Nightmare Moon]] probably wasn't in the plan.
* {{Expy}}: Arcanus is effectively a blend of Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy, but lacks the former's [[DeadpanSnarker aptitude for snark]] and isn't quite as reticent as the latter.
** Aurora seems to be based on Rarity, and Moonthistle ''very loosely'' on Pinkie Pie.
* ForegoneConclusion: The ActionPrologue doesn't finish until halfway through chapter 2, but anyone who's seen the ColdOpening of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E1MareInTheMoon the first episode]] already knows which sister wins.
* GenreSavvy: Arcanus has become this by reading a lot. He [[InformedAttribute doesn't demonstrate it properly beyond basic common sense]] (like "loose magic in the air means something's off" and "getting involved in a fight between gods is a bad idea") until chapter 3, where he [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] a [[spoiler:subverted]] case of InnocentInnuendo.
** GenreBlind: He somehow got the idea that ThePowerOfFriendship and ThePowerOfLove have no merit, despite living in a world ''built on them.''
** DangerouslyGenreSavvy: Nightmare Moon, who charges Celestia to interrupt her first attempt at activating the Elements of Harmony and then attempts an ArmorPiercingQuestion to counter the second.
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Moonthistle tracing her tongue along the bottleneck "suggestively." [[DontExplainTheJoke She's not doing it for the taste of beer.]]
** The unnamed father of Silvermane's children apparently got her drunk before seducing her.
* HopeSpot: Nightmare Moon insists that Celestia can't use the Elements of Harmony without Luna's friendship and loyalty intact. [[YouShouldKnowThisAlready She's wrong]], making this a rare [[InvertedTrope villainous]] example of the trope.
* INeedAFreakingDrink: Arcanus after his aforementioned BerserkButton is pushed, despite asserting moments before that he doesn't like wine ([[RunningGag which seems to be a recurring theme as of chapter 4]]).
* IncurableCoughOfDeath: Silvermane's health is stated to be declining, and the only symptoms we've seen so far are a nasty cough (that worsens with stress) and, as of chapter 4, a bloodied handkerchief.
* InnocentInnuendo: Arcanus overhears his brother and a (married) mare "[[GettingCrapPastTheRadar in the throes of passion]]" and assumes it to be this trope. [[spoiler:Subverted.]]
* JawDrop: Silvermane after learning of Luna's betrayal and subsequent banishment.
* LampshadedDoubleEntendre: Moonthistle calling out Aurora's choice of words:
-->-- '''Moonthistle''': "Heh, inner workings. [[WesternAnimation/Archer Phrasing-]]"
** Arcanus muses that Stella's phrase "hoof it" would inspire [[ADateWithRosiePalms similarly childish glee]].
* MoodWhiplash: The story begins by detailing the infamous fight between Celestia vs Nightmare Moon and the collateral damage - both physical and emotional - it causes. [[ReverseCerebusSyndrome It then moves on to Arcanus deciding to find a girlfriend.]]
* NoodleIncident: The silence weed incident.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Most of the Celestia vs Nightmare Moon fight happens off page.
* PurpleProse: Quite evident in the first chapter, which qualifies a ''lot'' of things with needless adverbs and indulges in a great deal of SaidBookism. Tapers off a bit in subsequent chapters.
* RoyalWe: Celestia uses this, and [[ShownTheirWork only when actually speaking on behalf of the kingdom]] instead of as a simple replacement for "I." She even begins some sentences with it, then pauses to correct herself since she's speaking personally, one-on-one, rather than making a formal announcement.
* SophisticatedAsHell: Irontail chewing out Golden Ace in chapter 2 over the matter of ''formal conduct'' and capping it off with:
-->'''Irontail''': "Or how about knowing thy [[PrecisionFStrike bucking]] place?"
** Silvermane and Moonthistle are fond of this too.
* TeleportSpam: Celestia seems to favour this strategy, as noted by the narration: "Rapid teleportation, how mundane."
* ThickerThanWater: Celestia compares Arcanus's rocky relationship with his brothers to her own relationship with Luna, insisting that "for better or worse, siblings are all you'll have left someday."
* TitleDrop: Appears to be a recurring theme, as all its chapters are named after a phrase contained within.
* VillainousBSOD: Nightmare Moon devolves from [[SmugSnake smugness]] to full-on BigNo after being blinded by the sun and subjected to a BreakingLecture.
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: Celestia mentions that she has never had a true relationship because of this, and how long into the future - beyond the lives of Arcanus, his descendants and then ''their'' descendants - she will still be waiting, alone, for her sister's return.
* YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe: Mostly averted, with correct distinctions made between thee/thou and the -est/-eth suffixes, but some comments draw attention to what slip ups there are.
** ShownTheirWork: Chapter 3 has a brief sequence where a soldier addresses a superior as ''thou'' (normally used for familiar or informal address to those of ''equal or lower'' social standing) and is called out on it. This sequence appears to exist [[{{Padding}} solely for this purpose]].
* YouNeedToGetLaid: Celestia tasks Arcanus to "study the magic of love" (an [[SarcasmMode oddly coincidental]] parallel to Twilight Sparkle's future task), which is essentially a glorified and extremely formal way of delivering this trope. His mother immediately picks up on the subtext, and finds it highly amusing (and agrees with it).

* HopeSpot: Nightmare Moon insists that Celestia can't use the Elements of Harmony without Luna's friendship intact. [[spoiler:She's wrong]], making this a rare [[InvertedTrope villainous]] example.
* INeedAFreakingDrink: Arcanus after his aforementioned BerserkButton is pushed, despite asserting moments before that he doesn't like wine.
* IncurableCoughOfDeath: Silvermane is implied to be elderly and not in the best health, but the only evidence we've seen so far is an ominous cough that gets worse with stress. Chapter 4 offhandedly mentions a bloodied handkerchief.
* InnocentInnuendo: Arcanus overhears his brother and a (married) mare "[[GettingCrapPastTheRadar in the throes of passion]]" and assumes it to be this trope. [[spoiler:[[SubvertedTrope Subverted.]]]]
* JawDrop: Silvermane after learning of Luna's betrayal and banishment.

** "A few smooth words and a fourth glass of wine" are the reason Silvermane has children.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Most of the Celestia vs Nightmare Moon fight happens off page, which [[RunningGag seems to be a recurring theme]] [[FanFic/ChroniclesOfHarmonysEnd for this author.]]

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Moonthistle tracing her tongue along the bottleneck "suggestively." [[Don'tExplainTheJoke She's not doing it for the taste of beer.]]

A ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' fanfic by Chrono Ryono.

Relations between the alicorn sisters have grown turbulent and unstable in recent months, until one sister finally crosses a line that forces the other's reluctant hoof. Nightmare Moon's insurrection is ultimately averted and the natural cycle is restored, but that night's tragic events will persist in the memories of both its witnesses for years to come.

The story then shifts to [[OriginalCharacter Arcanus]] - Celestia's brightest student of the era - to focus on his feelings on the ordeal and the direction it will set for his life.

It can be found [[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/16112/Whispers here]].

----
!This fanfic provides examples of the following tropes:

* [[AbsurdlyYouthfulMother Absurdly]] [[InvertedTrope Elderdly]] [[AbsurdlyYouthfulMother Mother]]: Lady Silvermane is an ''elderly'' mother with youthful children (possibly younger than the mane six). She may have been a ChristmasCake [[IWasQuiteALooker in her youth]].
* ActionPrologue: The Nightmare Moon battle in chapters 1 and 2.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Nightmare Moon attempts one, but Celestia brushes it aside.
-->'''NMM''': "What would father say, knowing that we... that [[WhatTheHellHero you used his gift to do this to me?]]"
-->'''Celestia''': "[[ShutUpHannibal Nothing.]] Father isn't here, Luna. He was ''never'' here."
* ArtifactTitle: Its title was changed to ''Whispers'' specifically to [[DefiedTrope defy]] this trope.
* {{Backstory}}: Originally posted under the title ''As Night And Day'', a oneshot fic depicting the Nightmare Moon incident that spent most of its first half introducing [[OriginalCharacter Arcanus]].
** Averted from chapter 3 onward, which introduces and develops completely original plot elements (since its original premise has been resolved).
* BerserkButton: As patient and disciplined as Arcanus is, there are two ways to rile him up: a) mention his [[RoyalBrat spoiled brothers]] or b) insult Celestia, or his mother.
* BlindedByTheLight: Celestia empowers the sun and increases its brightness to blind and incapacitate Nightmare Moon.
* {{Bookworm}}: Arcanus ([[{{Expy}} just like Twilight Sparkle]]). It's even his special talent.
** CuteBookworm: Attention is drawn to his looks, with his mother insisting that [[ChickMagnet ladies will line up for his favour]]... and that, in her youth, that line might have [[ParentalIncest included]] [[{{Squick}} her]].
* BreakThemByTalking: Celestia lectures Nightmare Moon on the virtues of the Elements of Harmony after [[ThePowerOfTheSun incapacitating]] [[BlindedByTheLight her]].
* CurbStompBattle: The bulk of the Celestia vs Nightmare Moon fight [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome occurs between chapters]], and both sides apparently gave as good as they got. By comparison the tail end of it feels more like an afterthought; as if Celestia figures "alright, I've had my fun, let's end this."
** Suggesting that the ''real'' climax is the BreakingLecture.
* DarkIsNotEvil:
-->'''Celestia''': "Dark magic, [[LampshadeHanging or rather]], ''[[LampshadeHanging evil]]'' [[LampshadeHanging magic]]. In her normal frame of mind, Luna would detest the implication that her night was in any way associated with evil."
* DeadpanSnarker: Nightmare Moon, of course.
-->'''NMM''': "If that was supposed to intimidate me, you don't even pass on effort."
* DisappearedDad: Arcanus's father is mentioned (but never named or seen). Celestia points out that they [[BondingOverMissingParents have this in common]].
* EvilIsNotAToy: Luna willingly (but rashly) saturated herself in evil magic in order to become strong enough to [[GreenEyedMonster step out of her sister's shadow]]. Becoming [[MadGod Nightmare Moon]] probably wasn't in the plan.
* {{Expy}}: Arcanus is effectively a blend of Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy, but lacks the former's [[DeadpanSnarker aptitude for snark]] and isn't quite as reticent as the latter.
** He is also referred to as the greatest student Celestia has ever taught ''and probably ever will.'' Twilight Sparkle herself eventually [[HilariousInHindsight proves their mentor wrong.]]
* ForegoneConclusion: The ActionPrologue doesn't finish until halfway through chapter 2, but anyone who's seen the ColdOpening of [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E1MareInTheMoon the first episode]] already knows which sister wins.
* GenreSavvy: Arcanus has become this by reading a lot. He [[InformedAttribute doesn't demonstrate it properly beyond basic common sense]] (like "loose magic in the air means something's off" and "getting involved in a fight between gods is a bad idea") until chapter 3, where he [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] a [[spoiler:subverted]] case of InnocentInnuendo.
** GenreBlind: He somehow got the idea that ThePowerOfFriendship and ThePowerOfLove have no merit, despite living in a world ''built on them.''
** DangerouslyGenreSavvy: Nightmare Moon, who charges Celestia to interrupt her first attempt at activating the Elements of Harmony and then attempts an ArmorPiercingQuestion to counter the second.
* HopeSpot: Nightmare Moon insists that Celestia can't use the Elements of Harmony without Luna's friendship intact. [[spoiler:She's wrong]], making this a rare [[InvertedTrope villainous]] example.
* INeedAFreakingDrink: Arcanus after his aforementioned BerserkButton is pushed, despite asserting moments before that he doesn't like wine.
* IncurableCoughOfDeath: Silvermane is implied to be elderly and not in the best health, but the only evidence we've seen so far is an ominous cough that gets worse with stress.
* InnocentInnuendo: Arcanus overhears his brother and a (married) mare "[[GettingCrapPastTheRadar in the throes of passion]]" and assumes it to be this trope. [[spoiler:[[SubvertedTrope Subverted.]]]]
* JawDrop: Silvermane after learning of Luna's betrayal and banishment.
* MoodWhiplash: The story begins by detailing the infamous fight between Celestia vs Nightmare Moon and the collateral damage - both physical and emotional - it causes. [[ReverseCerebusSyndrome It then moves on to Arcanus deciding to find a girlfriend.]]
* NoodleIncident: The silence weed incident.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Most of the Celestia vs Nightmare Moon fight happens off page, which [[RunningGag seems to be a recurring theme]] [[FanFic/ChroniclesOfHarmonysEnd for this author.]]
* PurpleProse: Quite evident in the first chapter, which qualifies a ''lot'' of things with needless adverbs and indulges in a great deal of SaidBookism. Tapers off a bit in subsequent chapters.
* RoyalWe: Celestia uses this, and [[ShownTheirWork only when actually speaking on behalf of the kingdom]] instead of as a simple replacement for "I." She even begins some sentences with it, then pauses to correct herself since she's speaking personally, one-on-one, rather than making a formal announcement.
* SophisticatedAsHell: Irontail chewing out Golden Ace in chapter 2 over the matter of ''formal conduct'' and capping it off with:
-->'''Irontail''': "Or how about knowing thy [[PrecisionFStrike bucking]] place?"
* TeleportSpam: Celestia seems to favour this strategy, as noted by the narration: "Rapid teleportation, how mundane."
* ThickerThanWater: Celestia compares Arcanus's rocky relationship with his brothers to her own relationship with Luna, insisting that "for better or worse, siblings are all you'll have left someday."
* TitleDrop: Appears to be a recurring theme, as all its chapters are named after a phrase contained within.
* VillainousBSOD: Nightmare Moon devolves from [[SmugSnake smugness]] to full-on BigNo after being blinded by the sun and subjected to a BreakingLecture.
* WhoWantsToLiveForever: Celestia mentions that she has never had a true relationship because of this, and how long into the future - beyond the lives of Arcanus, his descendants and then ''their'' descendants - she will still be waiting, alone, for her sister's return.
* YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe: Mostly averted, with correct distinctions made between thee/thou and the -est/-eth suffixes, but some comments draw attention to what slip ups there are.
** ShownTheirWork: Chapter 3 has a brief sequence where a soldier addresses a superior as ''thou'' (normally used for familiar or informal address to those of ''equal or lower'' social standing) and is called out on it. This sequence appears to exist [[{{Padding}} solely for this purpose]].
* YouNeedToGetLaid: Celestia tasks Arcanus to "study the magic of love" (an [[SarcasmMode oddly coincidental]] parallel to Twilight Sparkle's future task), which is essentially a glorified and extremely formal way of delivering this trope. His mother immediately picks up on the subtext, and finds it highly amusing (and agrees with it).

* SeriesHiatus: After chapter 3, the author announced the story cancelled and left an author's note detailing what would have happened had he continued, on a [[CreatorBacklash slightly sour note]].
** Within 24 hours, this was [[FlipFlopOfGod amended]] to a mere hiatus with the explanation that he changed his mind after drinking half a bottle of spirits and getting yelled at by his girlfriend. Time will tell if this hiatus actually ends.

* AbsurdlyYouthfulMother: Lady Silvermane is an absurdly ''[[InvertedTrope elderly]]'' mother with youthful children, suggesting she may have been a ChristmasCake [[IWasQuiteALooker in her youth]].

* INeedAFreakingDrink: Arcanus after his aforementioned BerserkButton is pushed, despite asserting moments before that he doesn't like wine.

* FauxSymbolism: The [[SiblingYinYang yin-yang inspired statues of the royal sisters]], and Arcanus recalling that some historians spoof the symbol's meaning with [[BlueAndOrangeMorality blue and orange]] are both subtle [[StealthPun jokes]] that play off the names of those tropes without really symbolizing anything.

* CurbStompBattle: The bulk of the the Celestia vs Nightmare Moon fight [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome occurs between chapters]], and both sides apparently gave as good as they got. By comparison the tail end of it feels more like an afterthought; as if Celestia figures "alright, I've had my fun, let's end this."

** ShownTheirWork: Chapter 2 has a brief sequence where a soldier addresses a superior as ''thou'' (normally used for familiar or informal address to those of ''equal or lower'' social standing) and is called out on it. This sequence appears to exist [[{{Padding}} solely for this purpose]].

* VillainousBSOD: Nightmare Moon devolves from [[SmugSnake smugness]] to full-on BigNo after being blinded by the sun and subjected to a BreakingLecture.

* PurpleProse: Quite evident in the first chapter, which qualifies a ''lot'' of things with needless adverbs. Tapers off a bit in subsequent chapters.