Mortality
Finally! After what seemed like an eternity, Luna finally finished sifting through the nearly endless stack of papers. Levitating them over to one of the guards, she let out a small sigh. A thousand years on the moon were not this tedious. How does Celestia do this day in and day out?
The guard trotted off with the papers in his aura. A new guard stood next to Luna in his stead. He gave a crisp salute. "Princess, your meeting is scheduled to begin soon."
Luna nodded at him before getting up. "I shall see to it," she said as she began to walk out of the throne room.
As she neared the door, voices from beyond reached ears, "...is pregnant."
"That's not what I heard. She has fallen ill."
"That's impossible—"
The voices came to a dead stop the moment the doors opened. Luna looked to each guard on either side of the door. They dared not so much as glance at the Princess of the Night. As she kept her gait steady, she couldn't help but to wonder if they would have kept talking if it were Celestia and not her. Surely they would have at least greeted her.
Pushing the thoughts from her mind, Luna continued her march. The bright light filtering through the windows of the grandiose halls only served to remind Luna that she was out of her element. To this day, Luna just couldn't understand why most ponies preferred the harsh, piercing glare of day to the soft, cool glow of the night. Glancing behind her to ensure that the hall was devoid of any prying eyes, Luna sighed and hung her head. I do not want this, Sister...
Several extravagant hallways later, and Luna marched into a grandiose room. Luxurious chandeliers hovered over a long, ornate table. Standing around the table were delegates and representatives from Equestria and beyond. Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor were there along with Princess Twilight. There were also mayors and V.I.P.s from several Equestrian cities and settlements. Even chancellors from places as far-flung as the Griffon Kingdom and the Zebra Tribes were present.
Luna walked to the head of the table and stood between Princess Twilight and Princess Cadance. "Thank all of you for coming here on such short notice," Luna said, her voice stern and authoritative. "I'm sure you must be wondering what is so important as to call all of you here today." A din of murmurs echoed the truth of Luna's words.
"As you may or may not know, I have been standing in for my sister, Princess Celestia, for a few weeks now. In that time, several rumors have emerged. At my sister's behest, I am here to put them to rest," Luna said, looking to all the faces around the table.
Twilight glared at Luna as she spoke up, "She hasn't been responding to my letters."
"I know," Luna replied, lowering her gaze ever-so-slightly. "There have been rumors that she is pregnant or sick—that she has been corrupted by a sinister force and locked away. There are even rumors that I have surreptitiously usurped her throne." Receiving a bevy of glares, Luna sighed.
"None of these are true," Luna said, sending her own ferocious glare at the representatives. "The truth is much simpler...and so much worse." She took a moment to compose herself before clearing her throat. "My sister, Princess Celestia, is dying."
The gasps and sharp whispers were loud enough to be painful. A pair of hooves slamming into the table silenced them. "That's impossible!" Twilight shouted. "Princess Celestia can't just die!"
Luna looked away from Twilight and towards the rest of the delegates. "For a time, I truly believed myself and my sister to have life unending." She spoke carefully and evenly. "All those around us grew old and sick. They died, but we stayed, unchanged, through the centuries. But, after my banishment, something happened…"
After the expulsion of the changelings from Canterlot and the royal wedding, my sister was not as well as she appeared. She had retired to her quarters long before the festivities ended. I went to her room to speak with her about what had transpired, but found her sprawled out on the floor.
I panicked, rushing to her side. "Sister! Are you all right!?"
The sound of my voice stirred her, but she was unable to so much as get her hooves underneath herself. Enveloping her in my aura, I carried her to her bed. Gingerly setting her down, I caressed her cheek with my hoof. Her eyes slowly opened. When she saw me, she forced a small smile.
"Sorry if I worried you, Little Sister," she said to me, her voice quiet and weak.
"What is wrong!?" I asked, not knowing how to help. "Shall I send for a doctor!?"
"No," she said. "Just… some water, please."
I scrambled to comply, rushing her a glass of water as quickly as I could. I had to help her hold up her head to drink it. I nearly cried, seeing my invincible big sister so weak and frail. It was nearly incomprehensible.
"Please, Celestia, tell me what plagues you!"
She struggled to give me a smile. "I'm tired, Luna. Nothing more."
"I-I don't…"
"We have lived a long time, have we not?" she asked closing her eyes with a peaceful look on her face. "Had I been a hundred years younger, Queen Chrysalis would not have bested me." Celestia sighed before opening her eyes again to gaze upon me. "Do not cry for me, Sister, but I am not long for this world."
I couldn't help but to disobey her. Tears built up in my eyes, blurring my vision. "Y-you cannot leave me! Don't die, Tia! Please!" I begged her, throwing my hooves around her neck. I nuzzled her cheek and felt her hoof run through my hair.
"Shhh." Her calm voice sounded in my ear. "I won't be leaving you tonight. There is still some life left in me. Months… years maybe, but not tonight."
I pull back, wiping the tears from my eyes. "I-I don't understand."
"Decades before Twilight helped return you to me, I began to notice that it was becoming more difficult to move the sun and moon. I grew weary and tired. Even flying has become difficult for me," Celestia explained. "I've known for some time now that my end was near." She shook her head a bit, smiling again at me. "My biggest fear was that I would never get to see you again. I can't tell you how happy I am to know the old you again after so long." She reached a hoof out to wipe away the last of my tears. "You have grown so much, Luna. I can go in peace knowing that I have left behind a legacy that I can be proud of."
I shook my head, refusing to believe any of it. "You cannot leave me! Equestria needs their Princess. I need my sister!"
Celestia just shook her head. "Equestria has you, now. I know you can do it."
"No," I replied, caressing her cheek with a hoof. "I… you are not that much older than me! This-this cannot be true. There must be some illness. A sinister force—"
"The only force that besets me is time," she said, placing her own hoof on mine. "I know not if it was your exile or the Nightmare Forces that plagued you, but you have been spared a thousand years." Celestia closed her eyes with a serene smile. "I couldn't believe it myself. After the Elements of Harmony purged the Nightmare Forces from you, you appeared just as you had a thousand years ago. You still have millennia ahead of you. I'm glad your exile did not steal away your precious time."
"Please, Sister, there must be something I can do!"
Her hoof slipped away from mine as she opened her eyes to look at me. "Be strong."
Luna pulled at her eyelids, wiping away unshed tears. "She—Princess Celestia—recovered then," she said, lowering her gaze away from the delegates', "but this time, she will not."
"H-how long…?" Twilight squeaked, her emotions strangling her voice.
Luna cast a sideways glance at Twilight before turning her attention to the room. "It will not be long now. A few days, at most," she announced. This time, Luna's words brought forth a din of murmurings. "I shall continue to rule Equestria, as well as perform the duties of raising and lowering the moon and sun," she said, her voice rising above the whispers and questions. "I trust that all here will handle this information with the utmost discretion."
Her words failed to calm the panicking guests. Luna's face contorted in indignation as she grit her teeth. Finally losing her cool, she utilized the royal Canterlot voice, "Silence!" The assembly fell completely silent. Breathing out a sigh, she addressed the ponies next to her. "Princess Cadance, Princess Twilight, my sister would like to speak to the two of you, in private. You may find her in her room."
Twilight and Cadance hastily excused themselves, leaving out the same door Luna came in. As they did, Luna again addressed the guests. "I know you may be worried about the future of Equestria, but do not forget, I have long ruled alongside my sister. She has faith in me. I ask that you give me that same faith."
"That's a tall order, coming from you," Shining Armor spoke up, glaring at Luna.
Luna frowned. "Just what are you implying, Prince Armor?"
"If Twily and Cadance aren't back soon…"
An audible growl sounded as Luna rounded the table. She brought her face right up to Shining Armor's, locking horns with him. "You insinuate that I have orchestrated this!"
"You expect everypony to just believe you? You've betrayed Princess Celestia before!"
Shining Armor's head snapped away as Luna's hoof crashed into his cheek. "You dare to make light of my sister's plight again…" she said, glaring hatred at the stallion.
Shining walked around Luna, storming out without another word.
Luna turned her attention back to the remaining delegates as she slowly approached the head of the table again. "Do not hold your tongues," she said. "Is this how you feel? That, without my sister's presence, I cannot be trusted?"
Although none had the gall that Shining Armor did, the cacophony of murmurs and whispers told Luna everything she needed to hear. She grimaced as she hung her head. I cannot do this without you, Sister.
Just outside of Princess Celestia's private quarters, Shining Armor found Twilight. "Twily!" he greeted. As he did, Twilight looked up, her cheeks wet with tears. "T-Twilight?" As soon as he got close enough, she wrapped her hooves around his neck. "What's wrong, Twily?"
Twilight shook her head a bit as she felt Shining's hoof on her back. "It's awful. I've never seen Princess Celestia like this, Shining. She's really… Princess Celestia is really dying! I don't know what to do."
Stroking his sister's mane, Shining racked his brain for something to say to comfort her. "I—Twily, what did the Princess say?"
Leaning into Shining's embrace, Twilight shook her head again. "She wanted to talk to Cadance alone."
Shining opened his maw, but no words came. He had served Princess Celestia for years, but he never had an emotional connection to her like his wife or sister. He was also blessed not to have to go through anything like this just yet. "I-I'm sorry, Twily," he finally said. "I wish there was something I could do."
"Me too… Me too."
The siblings held each other for several minutes before a misty-eyed Cadance quietly exited Celestia's room. Giving Twilight one last squeeze, Shining Armor let go and rushed to his wife's side. "Cadance, are you all right?" he asked, putting a hoof on her back as he stood next to her.
Cadance nuzzled him as she draped her forehooves around his neck. After a moment, she pulled back and looked to Twilight. "Twilight, she wants to speak with you, now."
Twilight nodded as she stepped past the duo and approached the massive door leading into Princess Celestia's room. She placed a hoof on the handle and hesitated. Breathing out a slow sigh, she pressed forward.
All of the curtains were drawn, muting the sunlight that filtered in. Twilight slowly approached Celestia's enormous bed. Aside from her lying motionless on her bed, the Princess of the Sun didn't look too different. Her coat was still a pristine white and her hair still flowed with a multitude of pastels. "P-Princess?"
Celestia opened her eyes and gave Twilight a small smile. "I cannot tell you how good it is to see you," she said, her voice steady, yet soft. "I am so sorry that I have not replied to your letters, but this is something that is best said face-to-face."
Twilight shook her head. "What Princess Luna said can't be true," she said. "There has to be something—anything!"
"No," Celestia said with a small shake of her head. "I am dying, Twilight, and there is nothing to be done to stop it. You must accept that."
"I-I can't! I won't!" Twilight replied, tears spilling over. "There must be something! Some kind of magic that can save you!"
"Twilight, I have lived a long, long time. I have left my mark on this world, and now it's time for me to go," Celestia said. "I know this is difficult for you. It will be difficult for everypony. But I know you will persevere, Twilight. You always do."
Twilight shook her head. "I don't—why did you never tell me!?" she asked, struggling against the constricting feeling in her throat. "You knew this whole time…"
Celestia smiled just a bit. "You know that you will perish someday, too, don't you?" She closed her eyes, her smile fading away. "I was still hoping I had more time. It's another reason I didn't return your letters. I wanted to wait so that I may send you good news instead of… this."
Wiping away her tears and sniffling, Twilight replied, "D-does it hurt?"
"No," Celestia said, shaking her head. "It doesn't hurt. I'm just… tired."
"Princess Celestia, please," Twilight said, practically begging, "there must be something I can do."
That small smile returned. "I'm glad you asked, Twilight." Celestia breathed out a sigh. "Have I ever told you just how proud I am of you?"
"Princess?"
"When we first met, I saw a little filly who had more raw talent than I had ever seen," Celestia said. "I had very high expectations of you, especially when I learned that you not only had talent, but you were also driven, intelligent, and diligent." She chuckled a bit as she shook her head. "And, still, every time I turned around, you didn't just meet my expectations—you shattered them. You didn't just stop Nightmare Moon, you returned my dear sister to me. You didn't just defeat Discord, you and your friends reformed him. I sent a filly away to study friendship, and, in just one, short year, she became Equestria's expert on friendship. Its newest princess."
Twilight wasn't even trying to stem her tears at this point. "Twilight, I have one more task for you. I know I can rest easy if I trust in you to do it, because you always astound me," Celestia said. "Can you do me one, last thing?"
"Yes," Twilight said, emphatically nodding, "anything!"
"I want you to look after Luna for me," Celestia said. "I know full well that she is more than capable of ruling Equestria, but I also know that, without me, she will be very lonely. She will need emotional support. She will need… a friend."
"You don't even have to ask."
"Quiet down, everypony!" Cadance shouted, silencing the raucous protests. "I know you all have concerns, but we must put our faith in Princess Luna!" Luna stepped back from the head of the table, letting Cadance stand there. "Princess Celestia is… at the end of her life," Cadance said, loud and confident. "For a thousand years, she was the only princess Equestria knew, and for a thousand years, Equestria prospered. Princess Luna has more than proven herself a great leader. With her, Equestria can prosper another thousand years."
A crash sounded as one of the delegates clopped her hooves onto the desk in front of her. "Lies!" the tawny pegasus decried. "Equestria prospered for a thousand years because Princess Celestia ruled alone! If Princess Luna had her way, Equestria would've suffered a thousand years of darkness and despair!"
"That's not—!"
Luna shoved Cadance aside. "What you say is true!" she replied, her wings flaring out as she glared at the delegate. "A thousand years ago, I succumbed to the darkness in my heart. A thousand years ago, I sought to plunge Equestria into eternal night. This is not a thousand years ago! I have learned from my mistakes, and I no longer have such visions for Equestria. My vision for Equestria now is little different from my sister's. I seek nothing for Equestria but for things to continue as they are. The ponies here are in an age of unrivaled peace and happiness. I have no desire to jeopardize that."
A grey unicorn stallion further down the table leaned in, speaking up, "Those are nice, honey words, Princess, but how can we trust anything from the pony who stabbed her righteous sister in the back? If you would betray your own sister, why wouldn't you betray us!?"
Luna seethed as she glanced about the table. "This is how you feel!? All of you!?"
As the room fell silent, Cadance put a hoof on Luna's shoulder. "Princess—"
"Leave me!" Luna roared, shoving Cadance away. The delegates stared incredulous at the incensed princess. The delegation table glowed blue just before launching across the room, smashing the windows as it met the far wall. "I said leave!"
A din of murmurs sounded as the prestigious ponies quickly filed out through a door opposite the one Luna used. The only ponies that refused to leave were Cadance and Shining Armor. Shining Armor lifted the table back into its place as Cadance moved over next to Luna. "Princess," she softly said, draping a wing over her.
Luna flared out her wings, pushing Cadance away. "The only reason they have tolerated me this long is because of my sister," she said, seething. "Without her absolution, I am nothing more than a villain—no different than Nightmare Moon!"
Cadance and Shining Armor looked on helplessly as Luna stormed out. A few seconds later, and Twilight stumbled in. "What-what just happened?" Twilight asked. "I just passed Princess Luna in the hall. It looked like she was crying!"
"It seems as though nopony is ready to trust her, even after a thousand years," Cadance said. She shook her head, looking to the shattered windows. "Things deteriorated very quickly. I… I don't know how to fix this."
Shining rubbed his neck. "I, uh, I might have made things worse." He sheepishly admitted, though he didn't elaborate.
Twilight looked back to the door. Princess, what am I supposed to do?
Luna muttered incoherently as she poured over ancient and forbidden tomes. She had them sprawled out over several tables. Each one contained a similar theme: eternal youth, aging, life preservation, mortality, and longevity. In her desperation, Luna gambled that there would be an answer here. She just had to find it before time ran out.
And time was not kind.
She had already been dragged away from her fervent research several times to raise and lower the celestial bodies. It had been days since Luna started. Celestia barely clung to her very life, if she didn't find an answer soon...
The ancient scribbles blurred before Luna, though she couldn't tell if it was another wave of tears or sheer exhaustion that made the text incomprehensible. Some small part of her understood the futility of her efforts. Life and death consumed the thoughts of everypony but her and her sister. They collectively devoted a thousand lifetimes to find a way to cheat time. None succeeded.
Luna drew a hoof across her eyes, redoubling her efforts. They never had so much at stake. This wasn't just a life. This was the most important pony in Equestria's history. This was the future prosperity of a nation. This was her sister!
And, just as Luna began to think she might have stumbled upon a solution, a royal guard burst in, stampeding up to her. "Princess! Urgent news!"
"What is it!" Luna replied, tearing herself away from her studies.
"It's Princess Celestia! She requests your immediate presence. It—she is not well!"
"No! Not yet!" she said, spreading her wings. With an angry flap, she took wing. In a flash of blue, she was gone.
A burst of blue light preceded Luna's appearance in Celestia's bedchamber. "Sister!" Luna hissed, rushing to Celestia's side. "Sister, please, just a little longer," she said, stroking the motionless princess's faded mane.
Slowly, a single eyelid lifted to reveal a pale, pink iris. Celestia struggled to draw in a lungful of air before speaking in a tired, breathy voice. "I'm sorry… Luna."
"Please, do not leave me, Tia," Luna whispered. "I-I cannot do this without you."
"Don't be silly," Celestia said softly, her weary eyes closing. "You will shine. I know it."
"No," Luna replied. "The citizens do not trust me. They may never trust me. Not without you."
"Your actions and time… are all that are needed," Celestia said, drawing a long breath in and out. "They will trust you. They will… love you."
Tears spilled over as Luna shook her head. "No… not after all I have done. I welcomed the darkness into my heart, and even I cannot say that I will not accept it again!" she said. "I am not the one everypony needs. It's you! They need you! I need you!" Luna wrapped her hooves around her sister's neck. "Do not leave me, please. Please, Tia…"
"Don't be afraid," Celestia said, her breath barely carrying her voice. "I love you… They will, too."
"It's not—I cannot lose you again!" Luna cried, gripping her sister tight. "Another thousand years… I-I cannot do it! Not again!"
Celestia didn't reply.
She didn't even move.
Quickly drawing back, Luna found her sister to be completely still. Her multi-colored, ethereal mane dwindled to nothing more than a pink mop of hair. Luna moved a hoof to Celestia's shoulder. "Sister… Answer me!" she demanded, her voice raw with emotion. No matter how much she shook her big sister, Celestia didn't stir. "Celestia!" she shouted, using both hooves to shake her.
"No… No!" Luna cried as she stepped back from her sister squeezing her eyes shut. "I cannot do this without you! I won't!" Her wings flared out as an azure aura emanated from her horn. Tears streaked down her cheeks as her eyes opened. They glowed in sync with her horn.
"It's you, Sister." Luna's voice echoed, an ethereal vibration straining her voice.
Wisps of blue reached across Luna's body before strings of blue flowed towards Celestia's still form. "You are the one they love."
"It's always been you…" The strings grew into great glowing streams, brightening to an omnipresent glare.
Then, it was gone.
In its wake, Celestia's chest slowly drew out, and in. Her body trembled as she let out a series of coughs. Her eye shot open as she gasped for air. She quickly sat up with an almost alien vigor. Her fatigue had vanished, her body no longer sore and wasting. Her eyes darted about her body, seeking out an explanation.
"Luna, what did you…?" Celestia asked, turning to where her sister stood.
She wasn't there.
"Luna?" she called out, stumbling out of bed. She stopped dead as her pupils shrank. "No…" Celestia breathed.
Before her, a scorch mark marred her floor. Scattered there were four silver shoes. In the middle was a necklace and an ebony crown. The only signs remaining of the Princess of the Night were a few azure feathers.
"Luna!" she cried out, desperately looking around the room for any signs of her little sister. "Luna!"
Celestia found her gaze drawn back to her scorched floor. "What have you done?" Celestia said in disbelief. Tears streamed down her cheeks as her head rocked slowly back and forth. "Why!"
She fell to the floor. Slowly, delicately, she scooped up Luna's crown. "I lived my life!" she shouted at the ebony crown as her tears continued to flow. "I stood in the sun long enough! This was your time to shine!"
Gripping the crown tight to her breast, she began to sob.
"Luna..."
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Reminded me somewhat of one of my earlier stories, though mine ended on a happy note. Either way, it was very emotional and well-written. Excellent work!
Holy.. Shit. That was far better than I expected it to be. I didn't see that ending coming for miles..
Can't say I saw that one coming. . .
Why?
Why do I always read tragedies?
They never end well.
And they leave me feeling so... so...
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I'm quite flattered. Thank you.
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Don't get me wrong, I seriously considered the obvious ending, too.
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*hands you a tissue*
4710171 No problem!
And then Celestia fucking destroys everypony because it is THEY who caused this with their stupid hate and fear mongering.
An absolutely amazing story. Did not see that coming, but oh my Celestia that blew me away!
My god i never read SFW story's and now i have this hurts worse then the NSFW ones what magic is this?.
Holy crap that was amazing! Never saw the twist coming at all!
Well done...
No well earned rest for you Celestia, just another thousand years (or however many were able to be transferred) without your sister.
Luna got called out, rightfully so. Once a racist against sun loving ponies, always a racist.
You... Accursed grudgeholders... Damn you all.
Fuck you Shinning Armor!
Everyone is accepted and loved in Equestria, except ponies trying to be as great as Celestia,
sorry Luna you'll always be complete shit to the nobles and commoners of Equestria.
You just don't "fit in". I really wish they would've just killed Luna in the show or kept her a
"bad guy", after all she has been through she will never get the level of her sister or Twilight Sparkle.
That tacked on to her history and being gone for 1000 years is really sad, her predicament is
a fate worse than death.
Oh, oh ouch. I knew it was going to be sad, but that was not how I expected it to go.
So emotional.
But it was so good. Good work. I like it. 
I ABSOLUTELY LUV DIS STORY! REALLY GREAT JOB!!!
In the interests of being fair to all parties, I must point out that if Luna had won 1000 years ago, everypony would be dead. Starvation, freezing, whatever.
"I tried to kill the world out of petty jealousy but I'm better now." is a bit of a stretch.
Wow. That was just fantastic. But at the same time, I can't help but feel it's perfectly set up for a sequel. HNG-
MUST...NOT...PESTER...ON TOPIC! MUST...BE...SUBTLE!
...ah, screw that. Can we expect a follow-up to this story? I would think Celestia would be pretty miffed after something like THIS happened.
One of the most touching, heart-wrenching fics I've ever read. You've more than earned my fave.
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Indeed, this all but screams for a sequel of sorts - I have a feeling Celestia would have a few things to ... convey ... to a select number of individuals who all but drove her sister to suicide with their unbound arrogance of feeling like they have any right to try and pass judgment over something that happened a millennia ago, about which they have learned from fairy tales and rumors.
Celestia was forced to endure a thousand years without her sister, and now, thanks to her precious little ponies and Shining Meathead Armor, she will endure a thousand more ... this time without the sliver of a hope that she might meet Luna again. If this doesn't deserve, no, demand retribution and consequences, nothing does.
Nice job, Shining, you fucking imbecile
This definitely brought up the ol' lump-in-the-throat feeling. Wonderfully written
Second time reading this. You've got some serious talent my friend. Hit me up on Skype if you're interested in chatting sometime. StealthDash22 is the name to search for. (Applies to anyone who wants to talk, I'm always available!
)
Don't… Cry…
4712682 Oh God… When you think about it that way it's more sad
*takes a gun out and shoots myself*
Ghost me: Killed me you have
Funny fact, I was always convinced that alicorns, if they really aren't immortal, at least retain their physical young form as long as they like, they practically decide themselves if they want to grow, change form, or look older. So in other words Celestia can look like she is in her mid 30s, bow chicka wow wow
, when she is kicking the bucket, and the process of dying itself is practically nothing but a very grave need to go to sleep and never wakeup.
After going to sleep their heart activity subsides, stops, and they begin to 'vanish' from their spot, similar to Yoda, while becoming one with the ambient magic of the world.
I would love to see the dignitaries reaction when Celestia unleashes hell on them for that
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And on Shining ... and, frankly, on Twilight as well. All of them effectively contributed to what amounts as Luna's suicide. And once she walks out of her chambers and is greeted by cheers and joyful faces and welcoming shouts ... there would not be a sight in the world that would make her feel more wretched than that.
Because in the end, it's not like anyone cares that Luna is gone, do they? They met her with hostility and rejection and left her as such ... all they care about is having their pretty perfect Princess back, never mind the fact that she just lost her sister, again, and this time for good. Would they even stop and consider how she feels about this joyful occasion? Does it matter to them beyond their own satisfaction and peace of mind that comes with Celestia being back?
Somehow, I doubt any of their thoughts would have extended further than "Yay, Celestia's fine, we won't have to change our ways now". There couldn't be disrespect and insult higher than that in the world to Celestia, I'd imagine.
Oh....damn....I-I did not see that ending coming. Amazing work, so emotional and heart wrenching.
I don't think Celestia would be one for vengeance, here. She would be upset, sure, but vengeance? Hardly. She would be unhappy with people, but she would get over it; she is the bigger mare.
Literally.
Though on the upside, at least Twilight and Cadance don't lose her.
Overall, a reasonable story; I've seen other, similar stories, but this was a solid effort in the "Not so immortal after all" category. I think the biggest flaw here is that there isn't quite enough time given to Luna's pathos - she is upset, sure, but we don't really get into her enough to really make this story as effective as it should be.
4713056 Wow that's actually really cool.
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I personally think that for a Sequel or follow up chapter that Celestia has Twilight and Cadence QUICKLY gather anypony they think is worth saving and take them to the Crystal Empire and activate the Crystal Hearts barrier so the few that deserve to survive will when she rains down solar hellfire upon the world for what they did to Luna.
Shining Dickweed would not be allowed to go.
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Considering she would have caused untold genocide over the entire planet, many people would have the right to fear and pass judgement the thought of such a being coming into power again.
One moment of Jealousy, one moment of anguish, and she would have extinguished all life on the planet if she was not stopped. All because of something so very petty.
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The problem with this is - Luna's capacity for causing a global genocide is not in any way, shape or form tied to her being a respected ruler of Equestria. Indeed, she would be much more dangerous if she crawled in to some unknown hole in the middle of nowhere in an angry huff, gave the world the proverbial finger, yanked up the moon and pulled the entrance in behind her. If she is in a visible position in a known location, you can actually maybe try and do something to stop her.
With that being the case, all these idiots were actually putting the world in danger by openly shunning Luna - that's kinda the stuff that caused her to go Nightmare in the first place. It doesn't matter in the slightest, if eternal night is what they fear, whether they recognize Luna as their leader or not - she hardly needs their approval to plunge the world in to an ice age.
If a genocide by eternal night - which is by far the worst thing Luna can do - is what you fear, the not-stupid thing to do would be not antagonizing the being who can actually bring it about, and instead treating her with a modicum of respect and recognition, so that she doesn't get those ancient urges to destroy everything again.
It wasn't Luna who was the actual danger for the world here - it was the fools yanking the proverbial dragon's tail. Frankly they should all be stripped of their positions (Shining being the first) because they just displayed casual disregard for the potential safety of the whole world and clearly aren't fit to have any amount of authority in their hooves, before they try and start insulting something else that can bring about the end of the world.
4713608
So it all comes down to "Respect her or else".
Because if that's all the respect that can be really mustered is keep her happy or else the world ends... One temper tantrum does not deserve the respect that one would get from that sort of action, that is the sort of respect that's given to a tyrant who would kill a person who disobeyed them, respect the man who will have you and your family killed because should he feel a bit upset at your words...
She did not need to be leader if that's what it could have taken.
I love a good death scene, and the fact that you could do this with a twist and in a short just proves how great of an author you are. Excellent!
4713621
In a cruse sort of way, it is. The monarch of your nation (so, actually going against her is sort of treason) who also happens to be keeping the heavens in check now that Celestia is down for the count? Yeah, that's probably a good idea.
And again, they have no right to pass judgment over what happened a millenia ago (which she already did penance for). I can't even fathom the amount of arrogance that goes in to their thoughts that leads them to concluding that they can. They weren't there, they don't know what actually happened and how things came to such a point, it didn't affect them (nor did it affect anyone really, safe for Celestia who had a two-minute brawl over it with Luna) - in essence, they don't know what they are talking about.
What would have been the smart thing to do - judge Luna by her current merits, not something your grandma read to you from a children's story book. Has she done poorly for the past few years she has been back? Has she done poorly during these few weeks she has been the sole ruler and inflicted suffering upon the nation as a result? No? Then she is doing just fine as a ruler and is fit for the position, if everything is running as it should be.
Instead they disrespect both Luna and Celestia's wishes by their poorly thought-out actions and proceed with actions that, as far as they know, were the sort of stuff that caused problems to begin with. Arrogant, thoughtless and irresponsible. The tongue lashing they receive for this ordeal from Celestia should cause the whole mountain to shake, right before she throws them all out the door and strips them of all their positions and titles, because they have proven to be unfit for the responsibilities and considerations their positions demand of them.
4713659
Well if she had won, it pretty much would have affected them and everyone else by there being no one living on the planet and all.
And as for the Celestial bodies, it is known that Unicorns could still do the Sun and the Moon, so while it would take sometime to gather up a force it could still have a manner of still moving the Celestial bodies.
And as for current date, honestly it seems like Celestia failed to help her sister. It really seems like Luna needed therapy as the fact that she still was quickly emotional to the point where she killed herself for Celestia means that she badly needed some sort of therapy to control her emotions when it comes to other people's judgement. Heck Celestia failed to help her learn the basic fact that the Royal We was out of use and it was nearly a year later she had to learn it from her sisters student.
If the Monarchy worked in a manner as you mentioned (Which it doesn't seem to considering there is a council, which would seem to be more parliamentary). She could have easily just dismissed their comments and ruled regardless, if she was truly worthy she would have risen up above the comments and simply did her duty. Instead a few words got to her and so in a quick emotional state it was ended. She still sought people's 100% love and attention and as a result she broke, which considering the fact of what she did before it might have ended in tragedy should some tabloid report badly on her later on.
Celestia failed to help her sister adjust to her issues, she herself is part of the blame to begin with!
img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121226025151/bronies/images/9/91/Dark_Princess_Celestia.png
The End of Prosperity
4713684
I freakin HATE to bucking Tartarus that stupid "Unicorns can do Celestia and Luna's Jobs of Moving the Sun and Moon". First of all, since it has been done by Royalty for Millennia, the nobles would never let any commoners even think about trying to touch either the sun or moon with their magic. Second, have you SEEN the Nobility? They would never get their act together on working together for the good of everyone to control them right before the world probably ended from their being either only the sun or moon, or both out at once, of the accidentally crashed the moon into the world because Some Noble decided he should put a bit more effort into it than the others just to make himself seem more important.
Also, another thing. It would probably take Centuries for ponies to even warm up to the idea of Luna ruling before they would give her a break with how they were reacting. Even with the so called Therapy, no one could handle being hated by pretty much everyone for that fucking long without breaking. Tell me, could you stand openly hearing ponies and other creatures, wherever you went openly resenting you, blaming you for the death of you sibling who you loved more than they ever could and possibly even wish you dead instead for it for a countless amount of years? NO ONE COULD FUCKING HANDLE THAT.
4713219 I know right?
4713684
Indeed, had she won back then, things would have been pretty bad - if the whole "eternal night" shtick actually stuck. Since her "rebellion" lasted two minutes though, the actual harm she brought to anyone is pretty much nonexistent. Passing judgment over things that didn't happen over a millenia ago (ones she already spent a 1000 years in jail for) ... is not the height of productivity or good judgment.
I'd actually question whether unicorns of this day and age still retain the knowledge of how to move the celestial bodies - it has been who knows how many millenia since they last had to, and that was before Discord started mucking about the land for who knows how long, throwing things even further off. I wouldn't bet on that knowledge and skill still being available. And this is a worldwide concern, seeing how delegates from other nations were present as well.
And Luna didn't exactly demand 100% love and attention - what she wanted was basic respect from the representatives of the other cities, but they pretty much refused to even work with her. Sure, she probably could have fired them then and there and installed new ones, but that's kinda the point of Luna's character that she is trying not to rule with an iron hoof - and has shown no inclination of doing so - but no one was willing to give her the time of day.
And while on one hand one might say she should have just gone ahead and did her job, It's kinda hard to do your job of ruling and regulating the country when the officials who are supposed to carry out your orders and represent their respective regions refuse to cooperate. The same thing applies to the whole lot of them actually - they weren't doing their jobs in the first place. Sure, fire the lot and appoint loyal ones, but that's explicitly what Luna wanted to avoid - everyone wants a bit of recognition, and she is no different.
She explicitly didn't want to bully them in to submission or cast them all out - that would only feed their irrational paranoia and the overall rumors, and arresting them only more so. Perhaps that's what she should have done regardless to ensure the smooth running of the country and not waste her time on officials who lack appreciation for their own positions ... but she had another solution available, and the rest is history.
Was she in a poor mental state and on low morale? Probably. But if she has undergone a couple of years of such attitude, that's hardly surprising - and the ponies have themselves to blame for it (as Celestia will, probably). Doesn't help her mental state any that her sister is in the next room, slowly drawing her last breaths.
Should Celestia have done more to help Luna adjust? Quite possibly - we have seen in the show that she isn't as perfect as many ponies like to believe. And I'm willing to bet my left sock that when Celestia was around, everyone behaved prim and proper around Luna anyway, so chances are she never even witnessed how bad things were, and Luna being Luna, I don't quite see her going to Celestia to complain either.
All in all? Luna could have easily ruled just fine if it didn't look like her only option was "iron hoof" and installing her own agents in the city representative seats, if the blundering buffoons had simply given her the chance to do so. Perhaps she should have done so regardless, but when the option available makes you miserable and you have another way out ... *shrug*
And, I imagine, this time Celestia will learn exactly what happened, and what drove her sister to take such a step as to exchange their lives. And then the word "disappointed" will earn a whole new meaning in the dictionary, I reckon.
Congrats on hitting the feature box!
4713733
I just want to say I'm pretty glad how cordial this debate has gone on, usually when it comes to this sort of topic it breaks down into Ad hominem and I honestly want to thank you for being such a good debater.
I'll agree on the first part, because yeah that was a really...really short fight, despite her trying to kill Celestia it was a really short rebellion.
I figure they would still have the knowledge, considering how preserved Starswirl the bearded knowledge despite the fact that he seemed to have come from a time during the tribes, and much magic is kept well stocked within the general wings of the castle considering that Twilight is commonly checking through them to learn new abilities to test her magical skills on.
Though as for the next I'm honestly sort of curious how much power Luna and Celestia even had in this story over the representatives, or whether they even could replace them in such a manner, it's hard to gauge within each story how much power they've given the sisters as a whole, if Luna even could have done that to begin with, or if they could even have had her replaced. It's just a more vague subject then I can really deal with. At the same time dealings with Equestria would have had to go through Luna now and if the world knows of what she had done originally it might have also caused tensions amongst the borders.
But who knows, though I do hope for a sequel because I am currently interested in seeing how things play out, though at the same time for Celestia as said she didn't even take the time to teach her sister of even basic things that would have helped her out in dealing with the ponies originally, so I wonder if she really did just think things were 100% okay and never thought to check on her to make sure things were fine. Celestia has that bad habit of assuming everything is fine till it explodes up in her face, and she herself would have been responsible for not making sure her little sister was doing well.
Either way you want to look at it... Celestia will not be the same again... and Equestria will forever change along with her.
4713755
*shrug* I don't make it a habit to degrade things to simple name-calling and finger-pointing. I enjoy a good debate and brainstorming about things, so it's hardly in my interests to take things in such a direction :P Worst comes to worst, I simply walk away.
Hm, I imagine Starswirl was actually from Luna's and Celestia's era - during Nightmare Night, Luna commends Twilight on her costume and how she even got all the bells right - that sounds like a statement coming from experience, so Starswirl must have been around for her to see him in his outfit and thus make this observation of Twilight's replica, making it post-Discord.
As for how much power they hold - I would assume the default of "absolute", as I don't think anything in there really contradicted it. The presence of delegates is fairly natural, as monarchs don't exactly rule on their lonesome - they issue edicts and commands that are passed down to individuals who oversee that these orders are carried to and executed at a more local level.
And, I imagine, Equestria's international imagine would suffer quite badly without a heavens-controlling alicorn on the throne that's as old as the landscape itself. It's a tremendous symbol of strength, experience (and Luna did note she has lots of experience ruling a country) and solidity that lend a considerable image of everlasting, above-mere-mortals air to the kingdom. Without one, the image shatters and Equestria might fin itself in international politics of a sort that it has never really faced before.
To anyone looking, Equestria suddenly finding itself without a millenia-old alicorn on the throne would appear like a ship that has just lost its captain and symbol of unity ... if there was ever a time to pounce, it would be now. Even if other countries fear Luna, they should still have some healthy amount of respect for what she represents and what she can do. Without it, Equestria looks a whole lot less threatening and less experienced. That's a recipe for tensions among borders, if anything is.
Not to mention what the populace might say - they are also so used to having an ancient alicorn hovering over and guiding them that they may well feel lost without one and the country might well tear itself apart, bickering over how to divide the now-empty throne and many would end up unhappy with whatever the choice ended up being. When you are used to a single being leading you for millenia, suddenly taking that away would likely cause some drastic reactions.
But anyways, that's all speculation and guesswork. I certainly share your wish for a sequel though, as the fallout should be quite interesting. Both in terms of how Celestia comes to grips with the apparent fact that, once again, she has failed to understand the depth of darkness plaguing her sister's heart and apparently not having paid enough attention, allowing the situation to escalate ...
And in terms of how she will react to her little ponies (a number of specific individuals especially) contributing heavily to Luna's "suicide" and her giving up the life that should have been her, just so the bunch could have Celestia back. Like TheMyth said, whatever would go down, this would change Celestia, and Equestria would be changed with her. They bemoaned the loss of status quo, but things are likely to end up quite shaken anyway.
What I can see happening is Celestia growing cold to the point of not speaking to any of her subjects or ever showing her face in public to the ponies who cheered for her whilst they jeered against Luna to the point of giving her own life (which may or may not have been 1000 years younger, if Luna's time on the moon halted her aging)... Twilight and Cadance would have to play peacemakers between the populace and Celestia, if she ever went rogue and on a warpath for what the populace have drove her sister to do to herself...