Celestia was back to normal, regal as ever, and smiling again. She still shed a few tears every so often, but she didn't start really crying again. It had taken her a while to recompose herself, mane once again a shimmering multicolored marvel.
"I probably shouldn't tell anypony about this, should I?"
"No, though I wish I could ask you too. In fact, I insist you tell your friends. You are not my equal in power yet Fluttershy, and may not be for many, many years, but someday you will be. All of you will I believe."
"Oh my. Tha-tha-that's…"
"I know. Now, let us get back to business. I did not take you here to have a breakdown."
"Oh, uh, you wanted to show me the tree and…" I stopped. "I'm sorry, I don't know."
"I want to help you. Rarity is worried about you accepting the antlers, but I think that's wrong. Take off the clip please."
I almost asked why, but instead just did so. Most of the time putting something in your hair could be tricky with hooves, and taking it out worse, but it was so easy to move it. It had to be magic. Also it kept in place really well too. I then felt that odd sensation of the antlers coming back. Celestia then laughed.
"That isn't very nice."
"Oh, yes sorry." She laughed again. "I'm not even laughing at how you look, but something else entirely. Luna really should have explained this better to me, and clearly better to you."
"I don't understand?"
"They're supposed to fall off. Magic can be very strange at times, and your own personal magic can at times give you messages. Did you know I had scales for a while?"
I blinked. "What?"
"I was being stubborn about dragons. They tend to be very grumpy, but most aren't that bad. Gems and rare metals are their preferred foods even if they can eat meat."
"Uh, but what does this have to do with me?"
"The antlers are there because you need to see the deer."
Celestia then raised a wing and pointed at something. I had thought it a root, or stump, or something similar, but it was no clear it was a strange carved wooden pole. It seemed to be made of petrified wood, stone grain clearly visible. There were several scattered around the tree. The carvings were hard to see, but looked like figures of some sort. Probably deer. They were also covered in gently glowing green runes.
"Ooo, they're so pretty. Especially the green runes."
Celestia smiled. "Already? Very good."
"So, those are deer made, and I have to go into the white tail wood and…"
"That is one option, but not the right one I think. Of course we could try a shortcut, if you are willing. It does have some risk."
I stepped back. Celestia looked confused. I guess Luna hasn't told her how many stories about her sister she's shared. I recognized that grin and what it meant, even if this was the first time I'd see it for what it was. I don't think it was as bad as Luna made it sound, but it was hard not to worry.
"Oh, I have come up in conversation with Luna, haven't I?"
I nodded. "I'm sorry I know that…"
"You really don't know anything about that. Things between us are complicated, and will remain that way. Nightmare Moon destroyed simple. How about I tell you the risk and you decide."
"Oh, that's fair." I smiled "You're not as bad as she says, are you?"
She giggled. "I think with some things I'm probably worse, but we each tend to see the other though a distorted lens. First, the shortcut is simply to go touch the tree."
"That's it?" I then sighed. "Oh, it's what happens next that's the risk, right?"
She nodded. "Yes. If you had asked me before my sister's return I would say with certainty absolutely nothing. Now, I have almost no idea. I can say for certain it won't do any true harm, but I can't promise it won't hurt."
"You mean like the antlers growing?"
"Mother said pain is part of life. Also you may lose the antlers, but gain, well almost anything else. I really can't guess what."
"What else?"
"It shouldn’t happen, but it could count as you accepting the empty, seat is the best word, of nature. I have been wrong about a great deal lately."
"Oh I'm sure that's not true."
"I was never supposed to fight my sister, but I was supposed to be there to help you should things go wrong. To insure there was no risk to you when Nightmare Moon returned. But she not only broke the seal, but subverted the spell."
"So you were trapped in the sun. She told me."
"She tells you a lot doesn't she? If I hadn't kept her busy she would have explained about the antlers earlier I'm sure."
I looked up at the giant tree. It was really amazing. It seemed to have every kind of fruit imaginable, and countless flowers spread among its branches. I walked closer to its large trunk, with rich brown bark. It looked so alive. Then I swallowed. I could feel, something. If I touched it something would change. I know it would.
"Would it be better if I did take the seat?"
"Yes, but you need not rush into things. You ponies don't even see how nature is broken, but any minder would be better than none."
"Would it help the little animals?"
She laughed. "Mother was kind in many ways, but if she was still here, the animals would not have a better life. She was very fond of tough love."
"Oh." I looked down
"But if you replaced her, things would be different. I'm sure she'd love you even if you would disagree on some points. You could help the animals in ways not even I can imagine." Then she laughed. "Though maybe the point is you can."
"Then, there really isn't a choice."
"What do you mean?"
I walked forward, trembling slightly. I then was going to reach with one hoof, but instead lightly touched my antlers to the tree. I saw the small stone tree poles flash brightly and some strange feeling wash over me. Then I heard a vast voice as if across some great distance, but it didn't seem to come from anywhere. It was strange, sort of like Luna's and Celestia's combined, but so soft. She sounded very kind. It said two words and then it was gone. I took a step back.
"Well that did she say?"
"Not yet. So was that…"
"My mothers voice, yes. This tree is mothers horn. How much of what she was remains within it has been the source of many an argument, but that is without a doubt her voice and this tree does have some sort of limited will and power."
"So what does it mean?"
I think she was going to answer, but then suddenly my head felt lighter, and I heard a clattering. I looked down to see my antlers.
"Rarity will be so disappointed."
"Maybe, but maybe they're gone for now because like Luna you don't really need them at all. Give it a try."
"What?"
"I haven't seen her do it lately, but you can create a sufficiently powerful magical matrix focus with air alone. So try levitating the antlers."
"Uh, okay, but…"
"Just try."
I did. For a little bit it didn't work since Twilight and Rarity always talked about focusing though your horn. But their advice didn't help all the time to begin with so decided maybe I should just ignore that part and focus on that feeling. The feeling I figured out how to do because it felt so like focusing your Ki for martial arts. Then the antlers began to levitate into the air, covered in pale pink magic. Then I heard a gasp.
"Oh my. Now that is really something."
"What is."
"Oh, of course. You really must see it." Then she giggled. "Something truly new. I cannot tell you how delighted that makes me. Now how does that spell go."
At first I just stared forward at nothing, because hearing Celestia giggle like a little foal was extremely strange. Then the mirror appeared. It looked like the same spell Luna cast. There were a bunch of little butterflies hovering above my head. They were made of pale pink light, just like my magic. I put down the antlers and they vanished, I picked them up and they appeared again.
"Oh my."
"Yes. Obviously the magic has to fill the channels in some form, even if the matrix focus is made of air instead of flesh and bone, but I've never seen something like this. I think it's very lovely and very you."
"Oh yes, I love it. Thank you."
I then hugged her. It took a few seconds before I realized I was hugging my monarch, and backed off, bowing deeply. She laughed.
"As I said, you really don't need to worry. I was worried a great deal about what I would have to deal with, but this has been a pleasure. So, are you ready to go home?"
"Yes but…"
Then I blinked. I was back in my home antlers still in my magic's grip. Though oddly the shock caused things to change. Instead of a solid glow, each was supported by a few glowing butterflies. I smiled. Magic was still strange, but this was nice. And, it wasn't time yet. I could hope it wouldn't be soon. I could hope that things would be simple for quite a while longer.