//------------------------------// // To Go North // Story: Ask Not The Sun // by LunarSacrament //------------------------------// Celestia once again finds herself staring into the twilight, as the stars fade away and the sun begins her journey. Perhaps, she thinks to herself, it is time for the sun to journey. She has been sitting with the scroll all night. The letter still holding onto faint traces of Twilight's magic. She turns to her ever present guard, “Send for my sister.” Luna arrives with worry clearly seen across her face. “You are leaving?” “Yes, I must go North.” Celestia forces as much certainty into the statement as she can. “But, the ponies! Your subjects! Celestia I can't!” Luna tucks down her ears, her feathers ruffled. “Oh Luna”, Celestia steps forward to nuzzle her sister,”You're wrong. You have grown so much these past years. Our subjects love you, and I know you can guide them. I am so proud of how far you've come.” Still smiling Celestia grasps her crown and vestments with magic, pulling it all off. She lays it at Luna's hooves in a neat pile. Luna sighs,”Alright, I trust you. But keep in touch, send me word at least once a week!” She pokes Tia's chest with a hoof, eyes watering. “Thank you, Lulu.” They embrace, wings folding around each other. It feels so final. The goodbye that only comes before a long separation. The announcement of Celestia’s sabbatical goes as well as could be hoped. There are many with support and those with outrage. Nothing that changes her decision to leave. It is on the same balcony she has watched the twilight come and go that it really begins. Saddle bags packed full and mane tamed into a bun for travel. She takes the time for one last look, one last goodbye, and takes to the air on powerful wings. She doesn't head north just yet. Instead landing in a very special place. The town has grown but still has the same charm. Ponyville. The awe attached to her arrival comes as usual. She smiles and nods, calling for a few special ponies to meet her at the long empty Castle of Ponyville. The ponies she greets are aged but distinctive. Rainbow Dash with her mane turned to layers of monochrome, Pinkie Pie who still manages to trot in with a slight bounce, Fluttershy with Angel III on her back, Rarity gray shot mane in a tasteful bun and red framed glasses, and Applejack her ever present stetson perched atop her head. They all manage to bow. “No. I am not here as Princess but as your friend. I have news.” They all look worried as she brings out the scroll. Slowly their faces turn to shock and delight. “Well I'll be..” Applejack holds her hat to her heart. Rarity mirrors the move with her hoof, eyes tearing up. Fluttershy reacts with free flowing tears. “I KNEW IT!” Pinkie bounces like a mare half her age. “I think we all did,Pinks. But Prin- Celestia, we're too old to go find her. My wings aren't what they were. AJ and Pinks have grandfoals to worry about,Rares business can't run right without her, Flutters can't even fly anymore.. so…” Dash trails off, confused. Celestia looks over Rainbow Dash, the mare she has become so unlike her own memories. No rushing off to save the day with bombastic attitude, just calm well reasoned argument. For a moment Celestia misses it but is then filled with pride. Her little ponies have come such a long long way. “I know. I intend to go north alone. However you all deserved to see it, to know. I also…”, she resolutely swallows the lump in her throat, “I wanted to see you all. I do not know how long this journey will be, where it will take me. I could not leave without saying goodbye.” Dash scratches the back of her​ head, “Aw ponyfeathers Celestia, I'm sorry. Of course we'll see you off! I just... Find her, please. Bring her home. With her here we can best any ol evil crawlin out of the ground.” The others make various sounds of agreement. “And I can't miss a chance to throw the biggest most funnerific Welcome Home party ever!” Pinkie throws her hooves in the air spraying confetti all around. Celestia smiles, “Of course. But if I may ask? Please write to Luna while I'm gone, I have every confidence in her but it always helps to have friends.” So as much as she would like to stay and bask in the warmth of friendship, the North calls. With one great jump she is launched over Ponyville, and turns​ North.