"Thou hast not been to this place since our banishment, hast thou?"
Philomena squawked, nodding.
Celestia sighed, looking up from Philomena, who stood at her side, to the ancient entrance atop its grand flight of stairs of the home she once shared not with just her sister, but with a nation. Those ponies who came and went on their daily tasks were more than servants or workers; they were friends. everypony in Equestria had been her friend; much the same had it been for her sister. Smiling faces, bowing postures, and waving hooves met the two where ever they went. Now, the ponies of the place she was meant to call home looked upon her with frowns. Their stances wavered not in her presence, and their hooves rose not from the cold tile halls to wave a greeting. Here, within broken facades, crumbling buttresses, caved roofs, vine-ridden walls, mossy stone floors, and grass-sprouting cracks, was home.
The silent winds of the Everfree carried the faded voices of chatting ponies and drawling dignitaries. As she and Philomena now began their ascension up the grand stone staircase of the castle's entrance memory after memory flooded back into her mind, so clear and vivid it felt as if she had never left.
"To be back... how dost it feel to thee, Philomena? Sorrowful? Cheerful?" inquired Celestia as she diverted her gaze to Philomena, who hopped up each gradual step.
Philomena chirped.
"Sorrowful?"
Philomena nodded.
"We concur. We returned to find ruins. Our heart hast been left within the rubble of these walls..."
Upon completing the relatively effortless trek upwards the two stood before the door-less arched entry to the castle's main hall. Slowly, Celestia encroached past the broken arch and into the deeply echoing hall, shattered stone scattering the wide hall floor and moonlight leaking in through the various holes created by the decay of time and the destruction of a war that lasted mere minutes, yet destroyed a nation. The high walls, once adorned with many tapestries, now only stood with a few of their tattered decorations; one side stood proud with the remains of white banners depicting the sun's mark, while the other held banners of blue with the crescent moon at their center. Once a sign of two opposites in unity, these tapestries now stood for the separation and imbalance of the current.
Further and further the two walked, making their way towards the tall platform where two proud thrones once stood. No longer did those thrones remain, and neither did the two beings that once occupied them.
"What was the point of all our struggles and fights in the past, Philomena?"
Philomena looked up.
"We spent our life defending our kind and our sister from every evil. We had this castle built for us by those who so dearly loved our reign. Was the conclusion always meant to be this? Was there never supposed to be harmony? The things we thought to be right, hast they always been wrong?"
Philomena remained silent.
The platform was finally reached, and the duo began up one of two curved staircases that led to the higher level of the castle. Celestia looked at the void where her and her sister's thrones once were, moving to stand right where she remembered her grand seat being. She stared out across the broken hall, heaps of fine stone replacing the tables of chatting ponies that once scattered the space on occasions.
"They built this place for us. Not for themselves, but as a gift to the two ponies who had stood for their freedom and liberty. She saw fit to rampage through this sacred building with her searing magic and explosive hatred towards us... destroying what had taken years in moments. Is she truly insane, dear friend?
Philomena nodded.
Celestia looked up from Philomena, continuing to stare into the hollowed hall.
"Does a more malicious clockwork than insanity exist?"
Philomena chirped as she shook her head.
Celestia sat down, her legs tired from carrying the quite heavy saddlebags strapped across her haunches. The cold stone was unpleasant against her rear, just as the brass and gold throne she once sat on always had been after a time of her absence, which is why she had come up with the addition of a throw pillow shortly after being gifted the throne. Sitting in the voided space, she felt a creeping emptiness. A feeling of unbelonging. A throne was far more than a simple chair, it was a podium crafted by those under a fair ruler so they may be placed high in rank and respect. Only one throne lasted in Equestria, and the one who sat upon it had not been graced with it, they had taken it with spite. More than having taken a throne, Nightmare Moon had rid of one. The concept of harmony and equity lies with two opposites working as one; how can true harmony exist if there is no opposite? No longer did two beings and two celestial bodies work with one another; one worked by itself, and cast the other to the side.
"Are we the insane one, dear friend?"
Philomena cocked her head.
"Is it poor of us to be graciously brought from a hellish prison to a stable life, and resort with haste to going against the steadfast ideals of this new nation? Are we right to be in this place? Should we consider it our duty to bring the sun's peaceful light unto a land which hast been blind of it for 7 centuries?"
Philomena hopped to Celestia's side, patting the ancient sun cutie mark on her flank with a wing.
"Tis our mark, and tis in our name; aye... but is it right? Is our path virtuous?"
Philomena nodded.
"If... if we do succeed, by whatever means, in returning magic to our being and in raising our sun, shall that make us the thief and the oppressor? Would we be of the same caliber as our sister by..." Celestia paused a moment. "by carrying out the one task we were destined to do?"
Philomena shook her head.
A bout of silence came over Celestia as she looked away from Philomena, her mind writhing in thought.
"If those throughout Equestria reject our sun with venom, what shall we do? Shall we simply... keep her down?"
For the first time, Celestia could see Philomena thinking. Her nod 'yes' had come after a period of what had clearly been contemplation.
"Without our sun, what purpose to we truly have? To be a companion to our sister, and nothing more?"
Philomena nodded. That simple nod struck Celestia with a sudden realization. Philomena was right; beyond being the day's ruler, or being a ruler at all, she was a sister. That was, from time's beginning to time's end, the one thing she had always been. No matter how many castles fell, no matter how many years she went without seeing another soul, no matter how many nations changed, for better or for worse, her one eternal place in the heart of another had remained. Her mind traced back to the shaky, teary words her sister had spoken mere days ago; "Please, don't ever say that you don't love me". She, at first, had taken those words with antipathy in her heart, thinking them to be weavings of a selfish mind and heart, but she saw how wrong she had been in assuming that. For her to have ever hinted that her heart had stopped caring for the one it had always cared about was not only immoral, it was a lie. Despite all of her sister's wrong-doings, lies, and betrayals, she did still love her. Their most recent encounter had proven that to her quite well. Her return of her sister's proclamation of love had not been a fabrication; while the words had been hard to come out, they were truthful.
A question suddenly rose to her mind; why was it so difficult for her to simply say 'I love you' to her sister when she truly did mean the words? Fear of being seen as weak? Was it to uphold the strong and composed facade she had crafted? Her sister, who was more in the position to appear tough and composed, broke down far more often than she had. Why uphold such a facade? Was it to remind herself of how she had been in the past?
"Philomena, we question our own motives and decisions..."
Philomena cocked her head.
"When one questions their own motives, what does that make one's motives?"
There was no response.
"It makes one's motives wrong. Just motives go without question, for they are just. Our sister questions her own motives, we see that quite plainly, because she dost know well in her heart what she hast done is not just... so why should we do the same?"
Once more, Philomena held herself still. Celestia spent a moment simply staring at the Phoenix, realizing something. Silence was held on her behalf not for lack of having a response, but not knowing how to respond. What incredible things could she say if she could say them?
"One day, far into the future, we will find a spell what shall give thee a voice."
Philomena chirped, seeming to smile to Celestia.
The flames before Celestia danced in a wonderfully mesmerizing fashion. Their heat and light gave her comfort as she stared past the hot wisps to the embered logs beyond. Dead-fall was not a rare occurrence within the Everfree, something Celestia was quite thankful for. Traveling a meager distance from the rubbled castle led her to plenty long-fallen trees, their slightly damp and brittle carcasses being fairly easy to break into chunks by hoof. Celestia had always prided herself in her great ability to build a wonderfully burning fire, even with wet wood, and that skill still remained with her.
With a weak spell, she stirred an opened can of soup that sat on a flat stone near the flames, a gentle steam now rising from its surface. Momentarily, Celestia brought her gaze up to the castle's derelict throne hall. She peered behind to the stairs and platform that would lead to further part of the castle; fear of seeing more of her home's state had kept her within the hall, and so did hunger. It had been quite some time since her small meal Chef Cold Cut had graciously prepared before her clandestine departure. Along with that meal, the observant Chef had taken notice of Celestia's total lack of water, and had given her a large glass jar filled with clean water for her to use. She found it quite comical that the Princess had spent to much time planning her departure and had totally overlooked the one most crucial thing; water. Celestia too found the amount of effort (that, thus far, had all paid off, as she had not been followed at all) she had devoted to hiding her disappearance comical, as she knew not if her sister would forbid her from going to her home. She had simply assumed so, but thinking on the matter led Celestia to contemplate things. Thus far, her sister had no qualms with any of her other decisions, and had not even objected to her treacherous trip into the storm with Philomena.
Though, there was one thing Celestia could think of that would most certainly cause her sister to forbid her presence in this old castle; the Elements of Harmony. They were most certainly still within their tomb where she had left them 700 years ago and so mistakenly chosen to not use them against her sister; their powers called to her. Sitting in the hall, she could feel their incredible, divine energy reaching for her, calling upon her to be their bearers once more, calling for true harmony to reign across the land as it once did, and as it should. Perhaps they had been the cause of her dreams and hallucinations; perhaps they were not coaxing her home for her to re-live old memories or to find joy, but for her to bring their powers to bear, and so they may bring their powers to bear on her. Always had the Elements been a factor in the decisions she made, and every time they had been right. There had only been one time where she had doubted their voice, and as a result she had caused the downfall of the nation she held dear and the betrayal of every beloved soul under her and her sister's rule.
A fading spell was cast to bring the now fully cooked can of soup away from the flames, steam now billowing from the open container and bubbles rising to the surface. Again she stirred the contents around, craning her head and gently blowing on the surface to help the brothy mixture of veggies cool. Having left behind her blanket to save on space meant she had been quite chilly, and nothing had sounded quite as appetizing as enjoying hot soup by a fire. The soup was placed to the stone before where Celestia sat to cool further as she brought her gaze vertically, peering at the moon that sat high and proud above, casting a healthy glow to the land below. How was there beauty in permanency? The night held far greater grace when the day was allowed to wane its darkness.
A distant screech from Philomena brought a gentle smile to Celestia's lips; it was mealtime for her friend, as well. She had always found enjoyment with Philomena's diet, especially when she would hunt before others. The repulsion expressed by any observer at Philomena's seemingly brutal treatment of her meals had always brought her a laugh, but more than that; a realization. A realization that seemed more true today than it had all those years back. Fear and ignorance of difference brought forth misunderstanding and enmity. When she traveled the halls of her new home, she had gotten looks a-many-a-time that reminded her all-to-well of the looks other ponies would give to Philomena when she tore at her prey with her talons and beak. When they saw her preference for warmth and light, they saw it with distaste, for it was foreign to the ways the had always known; darkness and cold. Though, there was the possibility some looked at her strangely because of her strange appearance. One is not always witness to a tall, slender Alicorn of pure white fur parading around with their blanket, lantern, and Phoenix companion.
Celestia often found humor in her own appearance. It had been undeliberate of her to build such an image, but it was one she had grown to enjoy. Looking back down to her slightly cooled soup, Celestia brought her spoon up to gather a healthy pile of veggies along with their hot broth, first only gently sipping at the spoon to test the temperature, then fully devouring the tasty veggies. A low hum of pleasure came from her throat as she continued on with her meal, her weak magic hastily moving to bring her waiting mouth more soup. She was quite happy to be eating something and know there was a possibility it would stay down; the meal Chef Cold Cut had prepared her only moments before she retired to her quarters to 'remain in solitude' had not been thrown back up when she had woken up from her lengthy, and quite comfortable, slumber before finally leaving the castle.
Through the quiet of the night came the distant songs and chirps of birds off far in the forest, something Celestia found a lot of joy in. Many times had she sat upon her throne in the morning, enjoying a cup of tea or a biscuit while listening to the birds in the Everfree. Celestia let her eyes shut as she continued on with her soup, the warm of the fire and the chill at her haunches reminding her of the morning's sun coming in through the many windows of the throne hall and the gold and brass throne beneath her. It was always those little moments that Celestia had found so much joy in.
"Grand morning to thee, sister."
Celestia opened her eyes, turning to see Luna approaching with a tired slouch. With a smile, Luna brought herself up onto her blue throne beside Celestia, the bright morning rays causing a wonderful halo of light around her blue figure and causing her light blue mane to glow.
"Tired, art thee?" inquired Celestia, bringing her spoon up to her lips.
"Aye; we depart for our chambers after this. Hast been a long night."
Celestia smiled, the tired croak in Luna's voice only making her sound cuter than she normally did.
"We wish thee a joyful slumber, dear sister."
Luna returned the smile, beginning to stand up. "And we wish thee a joyous day. Do give our greetings to Ink Scroll when thou art met with his presence, he helped up greatly last night in our documents."
"Understood. Sweet dreams!"
And with that, Luna continued off across the marble of the throne's platform towards one of two open doors that led further into the castle. Celestia looked back out over the so far empty throne hall, the white marble floors and grand architecture reflecting the morning's orange glow to coat the space with a wonderful light. The porcelain bowl of soup held in her magic was lowered to the small, finely crafted wood tray table a short distance before her throne. With the sun warming her front, and the soup sitting in her belly, she estimated that no being was warmer, or more comfortable, than she.
Stretching as she did, Celestia stood, her hooves moving from the soft pillow on her throne to the cold, cracked stone of the moonlit throne hall. Celestia blinked, her eyes being greeted by the light of her fire and the sight of the expansive, destroyed throne hall, the cold air leaking in from the destroyed ceiling and broken windows sending a little chill through her. Her breathing became rapid as she frantically looked around the room, her ears no longer being filled with chirping birds or the distant, echoing voices of her friends, advisors, adjutants, generals, and sister. In place was a hollow silence, one that seemed louder than any sound her ears had witnessed. With shaky legs, Celestia dropped to her haunches, tears now rolling down her cheeks as her breaths became unsteady. Her eyes shut hard, her head hanging low as a few quiet sobs echoed from her into the quiet place.
Philomena's nearby chirp brought Celestia's head up with haste as she flipped around to see her friend standing idly a short distance behind her, a grouping of wild flowers held carefully in her beak. Celestia's tears ceased instantly as she stared at Philomena, who now held a genuine look of concern in her eyes.
"D-Did thee gather us a bouquet?" Celestia asked through her shuddering breaths.
Philomena nodded, the flowers bobbing with her head.
Celestia laughed, reaching out with her forelegs and pulling Philomena into a tight hug, causing her to emit a tiny squeak of surprise.
"T-Thou art simply too kind to us!"
Celestia tightened her hug for only a moment before totally releasing Philomena, who tilted her head up to offer the flowers to Celestia. With a giggle, Celestia took the bunch with a wavering spell, bringing them to her nose and inhaling deeply. She brought the flowers away, looking to Philomena with a smile. Something hit Celestia; Philomena had spent her time gathering the little bouquet not because she had seen her upset. She had done it as a simple friendly gesture, a show of affection and friendship. More tears now came to Celestia's eyes, tears she had not cried for 7 centuries. Tears of happiness. No aching came to her heart or knots to her stomach; just a pure joy that seemed to warm her entire body. It was such a strange feeling, though it was the best she had felt in a long time.
Regaining her composure, Celestia sniffled as she continued looking at the arrangement. She was impressed Philomena had been able to gather something so wonderful in the Everfree. The grand forest was a mere shell of its former self. As she looked closer at the flowers, letting their fragrance waft to her nose, Celestia began to recognize a pattern. There seemed to be something so familiar about the flowers arrangement. She finally pinpointed it, and was quite surprised she had not spotted it before; protruding from the center of the arrangement was a large, wonderfully colored sunflower; a flower her sister had discovered and named especially for her. Celestia looked up from the flowers and their somewhat generic vase to the bright, blushing smile on Luna's face, the evening's sun casting a deep glow into the decorated throne hall beyond.
"We named it the sunflower, for only a plant of such beauty and colour shouldst bear the name of thy orb."
Celestia blinked, gasping as the bright throne hall and smile of her sister disappeared entirely, as did the beautiful sunflower she had been gifted that once sat at the center of her bouquet. She looked up from the flowers to Philomena, who still remained where she had been, her head now cocked to the side. Philomena squawked, rolling her head over to the other side as she noticed fresh tears now making their way down Celestia's cheeks.
"Heartbreak... friend. Tis all that ails us. W-Worry not..."
Philomena hopped forward, nuzzling her head into Celestia's chest.
"T-Thou art a lucky creature, Philomena. Thou hast g-gone without heartbreak in thy life." Celestia's composure broke down, her head falling. "W-We live with it in e-every waking hour!"
Philomena moved back, looking up at Celestia and shaking her head.
"W-What doth thee doubt from us?"
Philomena unfurled her wing, bringing it up and placing her feathers on Celestia's chest, right where her heart was.
"Thou doubt our heartbreak?"
Philomena shook her head. Celestia held a pause of silence as she thought, looking down at Philomena.
"W-We lied when we stated thy life hast gone without heartbreak... w-when we were banished..."
Philomena nodded, coming forward again to wrap her wings around Celestia's foreleg, nuzzling the side of her head into the fur of her limb. Celestia brought up her other hoof, gently petting down Philomena's back.
"We art here again, dear friend. Worry not... f-for we art here again."
Philomena released Celestia's leg and took a hop backwards, looking up to her teary-eyed friend. Celestia offered a weak smile, turning her gaze to the flowers held gently by her magic.
"The last arrangement we were so graciously gifted was shared with the one who did deliver it to us." Celestia chuckled. "Thou art carnivorous... and most likely have no taste for flowers."
Philomena nodded, prompting Celestia to turn around to her saddlebag and bring out her container of water with a hoof. The large, glass jar rolled along the stone before being lifted upwards and having its lid screwed off, allowing Celestia to drop the stems of the bouquet inside and angle them to where they remained only partially submerged.
"If we could have these flowers preserved till time's end, we would."
Celestia's own hoofsteps were the only sound to echo through the barren corridor she and Philomena traveled. Her lantern, which had been packed in her saddlebag, rested in her clenched teeth as opposed to her weak magic, for carrying such a menial object for more than a short while would bring blood to her nostrils and incredible aches to her temples. Though the darkness the lantern's light did pierce, and it showed both Celestia and Philomena (who was perched in her normal place atop Celestia's back) what they had both expected to see; a stripped façade of a place that once served as a living archive of art and literature. So many wonderful works from ponies all across Equestria had once dotted the halls, only a few of them ever being commissioned. Most were simply gifts, which, to Celestia, had made them all the more beautiful. Those many ponies devoted their time and talent to creating a work not for themselves, or even for the crown; they created works for Equestria as a whole. All who walked the halls could see the pieces created by their fellow citizens, and to Celestia, that had been one of the greatest things about her home.
Once dotted with sculptures, murals, landscapes, and scenes. Now barren of all character apart from what detail was crafted so finely into the stone of the castle itself. Through the doorway ahead Celestia could begin to see a place of the castle she both loathed and cherished; a room that had truly decided her fate. The tomb of the Elements of Harmony. There, in their chamber, sat the objects that had given her and her sister so much. The objects that now called to her, coaxing her to be their bearer. The objects that wished and willed fiercer than any living creature. Celestia stood now at the edge of their grand, square door, its features perfectly flush with the solid rock around it. She placed a hoof at the door, staring at the almost featureless stone for a time before craning her head down and placing her lantern at her hooves.
"Philomena, why should they call us here? Doth the Elements wish to be used against our sister?"
Celestia looked over her shoulder to see Philomena shrug.
"We hesitated all those years ago for we knew not what hell would be released upon our sister... we knew not if she would be cast away as we had been, or destroyed entirely. We... still know not what they wish for us to do. That night, they spoke to us almost with voices. They knew what our sister planned, and they called us to bring them against her... but now, they do not do so. They simply call to be brought into our hooves. They shine nay light on our path. They speak not with direction. Do they realize our sister is not the venomous, evil being she once was?"
Her eyes were drawn back to the Elements' door, question after question running through her mind.
"These grand Elements know more than any being ever shall. Do they know our sister's intentions? Do they not wish to be brought against her because she does not object to the sun anymore? Not once hast she stated that she sees the way of life we love as a negative; she simply fears for her own safety and for the safety of those beneath her rule. She... is no longer disharmonious. Only within the land and the sky remains disharmony, not within the heart of our sister."
Celestia snapped her gaze back to Philomena, hope almost burning through her eyes.
"Could that be true? Can... this end by us simply bringing the sun forth?"
Philomena offered no response as she hopped from Celestia's back, flapping her way to the floor beside her.
"The Elements call to us... but we cannot bring them forth. We hold not the key to their locks. How shalt we find our magic again? Our sister, if she is truthful in holding no ability to bring our power back, hast been of nay help. We know not how we should help ourself, or where to even begin in such an endeavor."
Philomena looked up to Celestia, not nodding or chirping, simply staring. Their gazes remained locked for a time before Philomena looked back to the Elements' tomb, prompting Celestia to pat her on the head with a hoof.
"Deep in thought, as well, aye?"
Philomena squawked in return.
"As are we. This problem hast been a most grand plague. There... seems to be nay solution. How does one retrieve magic with a complete lack of it? Fire is needed to create fire, and thus, magic is needed to create magic."
Celestia looked around the large hall as she thought.
"Such great power will be needed to bring forth the Elements... yet we have but a spark of magic within us. Nothing in this realm could break the chains around our magic but ourself, yet we have nay method of bringing magic into our being."
Celestia craned her head down, retrieving her lantern as she began back towards the room's entrance.
"We shalt find a way, in time." spoke Celestia, her words somewhat slurred by the lantern's handle.
As she continued on, the light sound of Philomena's hobbling did not accompany her, and she looked back to find Philomena still staring at the Elements' door.
"Come, dear Philomena. There is a place within these walls we wish to visit."
Philomena stood resolute, her mind totally encompassed with thought.
"Philomena!"
Finally, she looked back to Celestia, staring for a moment before taking flight and landing upon her proper place on Celestia's back.
Celestia laughed. "Thou art quite the thoughtful creature."
I hope science has advanced a bit further in 700 years since Celestia's time.
So I take it Celestia is not fond of sculptures, giant stone works, and other such long lasting creations, either that or she's being rather hypocritical applying it only to the night.
7845905
You're over-analyzing that WAY too hard. It makes me sad that out of all the things this chapter brought up, that was the somewhat menial thing you paid attention to...
You... do realize that, even in OUR lives, fire (more or less) makes more fire? Like, a match, or an electrical ignition system. Even an electric spark is more or less fire; it's just energy being converted to heat.
7845928 Ha, true enough. I suppose I am just being nitpicky but I didn't intend to make ya sad about it, I was sayin most of that in jest thus why I was using the emoticons to soften it up though I suppose it didn't really come through, my apologies for such.
It was a good, rather emotional chapter involving Celestia's memories down of the past and her idea of that which was torn down, either by time or the power of Nightmare Moons rage at Celestia's visage within their own home granted to them by those that cared for the Sisters.
7846000 Jeez, now I feel bad, lol. I didn't quite mean to come off as snarky. No need for apologies, friend.
Imagine if she gets the elements, and despite nightmare moon no longer being evil, the EoH still ban her to the moon anyway. Leaving Celestia to rule over a very different Equestria, an Equestria that doesnt like her.
Or even if the EoH are never involved, imagine Celly gets her magic back, raises the sun, it causes the damage its gonna cause, kills some wildlife, kills a bunch of flora, blinds some ponies, and believe me it would. If earth adapted in its entirety to perpetual nighttime and suddenly we got just 12 hours of daylight, it would be enough to damage things. The light is the last of the problems. Heat would be the biggest. Weather patterns would abrubtly change from increased temperatures. And there is most certainly going to be either a civil war or part of equestria is going to break off and be its own nation, refusing to be ruled over by celestia, even if luna is still co-ruler.
Id also like to see celestia not liking certain technological advancements. And then being told to suck it up and deal with it.
7846024 Again with the technicalities.
Celestia has pointed out that she's chilly. She's not freezing, and there is clearly liquid water everywhere and not snow and ice. She doesn't need a heavy coat or boots to keep warm. She simply keeps a blanket draped over herself. From that, I think we can infer that the temperature is probably only around 60F, MAYBE 50F at it's lowest during the summer.
Nocturnal creatures can still come out during the day and not be blinded, you know. Slit pupils, like the ones the Nocturn are gifted with, are pretty damn good at blocking great amounts of light. AND YES, Iris expressed some discomfort with Celestia's lantern, but that's because it's a bright spot within a dark environment. It would be bright to anyone. During the day, everything is equally bright, and gives the eyes a chance to adjust fully instead of being blinded by a single point of contrast.
W-What? Kills wildlife? I could understand the sun wilting certain types of flowers, MAYBE, but killing wildlife? Its sunlight, not a god damn death ray. You really do over-estimate how strong the sun's light is. And, before you refute with "but the magic in the land different" may I remind you that, if the sun is to come up, the heavily dormant light magic within the land would NOT BE DORMANT ANYMORE. I've established that LONG AGO in this story. The land's magic is tied with the sun and the moon. PermaMoon = lots of dark magic and less light magic. PermaSun = lots of light magic and less dark magic. The two in harmony = the two in harmony.
While this is a simple comment and not an anticipation, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me. What would Celestia not like? Like... is she going to be adverse to an indoor heater because it makes the sun's warmth useless or something? Thus far she's seen a gas stove, indoor plumbing, a pepper grinder, and preserved foods. Seriously, what thing could you seriously think of that would be a bad thing in her eyes?
Look... sorry for the rant, but I've gotten this exact comment 100 times and have dispelled it the same way 100 times. It's starting to grind on me. This entire chapter brought up some pretty crucial shit, like Celestia questioning her own motives, and the Elements of Harmony possibly not seeing Nightmare Moon as a threat, yet I get another comment on the technicalities behind the world. THAT. IS. NOT. WHAT. THIS. STORY. IS. ABOUT. YES, THEY ARE IMPORTANT, BUT HOW MANY TIMES MUST I TYPE THE SAME REPLY? I really don't mean to tear into you, but... like I said. I can give you like 4 other examples of this same (for the most part) comment.
From here forth, I will say this about any issues pertaining to the sun's return; MAGIC IS A THING.
EDIT: I didn't dislike your comment... funny enough.
Somehow the saddest chapter yet and my favourite, not only for the quality of writing. Her relationship with Philomena is literally the only ray of light. I say sad, yet it is not as if it is dark, as there is no true antagonist, but it still tugs at all the heartstrings. Sort of peaceful sadness, if you will. The only dialogue here is a character talking to her only companion, who cannot even answer in words. It truly encompasses the feeling of near-absolute loneliness of a single individual within the world. Well done.
Nice chapter on introspection, as well. This is what truly drives the point it is a character-driven story - day/night are merely tools to the conflict and its resolution - crucial ones, given their deep connection to the characters, but tools nonetheless. I like how it is established up until now Nightmare herself has nothing against the day - without that in the way, we can truly focus on what their sibling relationship is about, the rift and whether it can be healed. And even leaving the question if Celestia could forgive her aside, the driving question is also if she can recover in the first place.
At this point I'm just hoping that even though I can't see an all-out happy ending (I'm thinking it would be a kind of disservice to the emotional depth this story has managed to achieve - btw, congrats on raising it above night/day ideologies alone into something truly character-centric and personal! - for example, focusing on how the sun is a part of Celestia's being and quite literal purpose in life, yet it is not all that begs consideration), perhaps the sun does not need to be raised within the story timeframe to achieve catharsis, but Celestia could decide to wander the new eternal-night Equestria alone (with the most awesome phoenix of course), exploring it and seeing and learning more of the new time herself beyond the stories from castle. Somehow it seems most logical. It would give her time away from her sister, time needed to reflect on their relationship and adjust to the modern age, and so begin healing (though I don't expect hallucinations to ever disapper, if we are going by more realistic version of psychiatry; but she could still have a shot at finding a measure of peace). Maybe addressing Nightmare as Luna before her departure to mark the first step and give Nightmare much-needed hope their relationship might be given a chance to heal. And then perhaps, some far away day, return to the castle, reconcile and the two finding a way in that future to gradually create night/day again, united once more?
... sorry, got carried away for a bit there but one can always hope for a brighter future (pun.. haha? ..ok, shutting up), though I don't expect to see full emotional resolution with the end of the story, given how it might cheapen the struggle Celestia has gone through.
...And then again, the story could end full-on sad, without that ray of hope, just Celestia deciding there is no place for her and deciding not to try to create a new one for herself, and merely quietly fading away, leaving a land that has known no sunlight with its queen of night whose heart would forever be broken
...the poet in me seems to have gone on a rampage. Today I'm particularly vulnerable to feels - see what your chapter did?!
On another note - reading the comments throughout the story, I suddenly had a thought that most seem to share at least my inkling of sympathy for Nightmare as well (imagining how painful regaining trust and love of someone you failed must be, though it does in no way excuse her actions...), yet if this were the exact same story only with Luna and Celestia's positions reversed, I can imagine just how much spitting there would be on Celestia's character, given that even in this story there are some nay-sayers (she is soo mean blah - ?!) when here she is quite literally left with almost nothing (I wonder if people truly understand what it is like to be betrayed by family.) And then the story would naturally lose all the depth which was thankfully preserved here.
This thought strikes me particularly because of how well that concept of being truly alone ties into this chapter. It is the same reason I imagine writing Celestia as a character must be a frightening prospect - even when getting her character well and beliavable and without flanderizing her (which seems hard enough as I could count on one hand the stories I could see depicting her faithfully enough without stretching my willing suspension of belief), it is difficult to write her such that people actually empathize as they would for any other, since many on the site seem determined to be predisposed against her and to see her in however belittling light and finding fault with everything she says/does - thus making it near-impossible to actually appreciate her a character with her true virtues and true (and not made-up) faults. For example (for this chapter alone):
To which I can only respond: wut?
(Where'd that even come out from? When has Celestia here, a displaced fish out of temporal water by the way, ever been against technology in this story just because? (If memory serves, she is even amazed and appreciative of water plumbing.) If nothing else, this comment just comes across as if wanting already traumatized 'Tia suffer randomly just because. Almost as if you didn't read the story and stuck with the character's journey, it's so senseless.)
I say this because I find this to be very distracting whenever I am interested in a second opinion on a particular incarnation of Celestia - many opinions seem to be coloured with that desire to belittle on those things which might even be used to worship another character. Heh, truly the loneliest character in FiM. In any case, I think your Celestia is well-balanced with regards to how a reader might relate to her. Her occassional forays into hallucinations are a realistic and heartbreaking touch as always.
..Wow, what a long comment this post wound up to be. I blame the inspiration on the story.
7846101
7846286
sorry.
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THANK. YOU. OH MY GOD THAT MADE ME HAPPY. MY WORK IS PAYING OFF!
On another note, your comment made my night. It showed me that my work here in making something that people actually care about is working. Thank you for that.
I will say this about your hopes/predictions for the ending. It will be... well, it won't be bittersweet, and there won't quite be a true resolution to some things. That's all I'll say... and even that is a little spoiler-y.
Fuck, when I saw your comment, and how long it was, it made me feel warm inside. You have PERFECTLY understood everything I've created, and you even sympathize with Nightmare Moon a little. If I were to be honest, in my mind; Celestia is more an antagonist than Nightmare is.
Also, I'm glad this chapter could genuinely make you feel. That shows me that chapter 9 will... most likely ruin your life.
7846304 Reading that kind of hurt my soul. I'm the one to be sorry; I didn't want you to actually be hurt by my comment.
7846313 yep, same here
7846313
Sorry again. i dont think right anymore since being on painkillers.
7846358 I certainly didn't mean to imply that your mind isn't in the right place, and I don't believe Satakelie did, either.
No need to apologize; you were simply expressing your thoughts, and we both shot you down for it. That... is quite unacceptable. I don't want you to fear commenting, because I do like feedback, good or bad. My quasi-frustration in my response to you wasn't directed at you, it was more directed at the others who have commented before you with similar things.
Well, after reading the comments I feel kinda bad pointing out the two errors I found, but it has to be done :
I assume you meant "in."
Distant?
Anyway, this is a great chapter, and rather perfect for the second-to-last .
7846419 No no no, pointing out errors is just fine. You're genuinely helping. Also, I'm glad to hear you liked this chapter. I hope the finale doesn't disappoint. Break hearts? Certainly.
EDIT: you only found 2 problems? Damn, I'm getting better at this whole 'not proofreading my own stories' thing!
7846101 I agree with you halfway. I also somewhat agree with where steelthunder is coming from. There are quite a few technological advances that I abhor greatly
7 millennium
Wouldn't that be 7,000 years instead of 700? 1 millennium=1,000 years.
7846686 FUCK. I MEAN CENTURIES.
7846744 The Machine Spirit can suck my fatty.
7846708 haha no biggie
7847572 I was upset about that because, when writing that line, I remember SPECIFICALLY telling myself "alright dumdum, a century is 100 years and a millennium is 1000. Don't let your dyslexia kick in."
Well... my dyslexia kicked in.
7847641 that's alright. I don't have dyslexia and I still do shit like that from time to time.
7845905
"Sculptures, giant stone works, and other such long lasting creations" are only permanent in their shape.
The context in which such object is observed is as much important as its form. Statue displayed outside changes with each passing hour as sun and moon travel through the sky.
I must say, I really like the way the story is going. And I cannot predict how the story is gonna end since there's only one chapter left.
7851260 Ah, good to see you finally comment! If you'd like to PM me a prediction, I'd be VERY happy. I've had like 3 other people make predictions and thus far they've all been wrong.
In chapter 8 I made a mistake: I described the door to the Elements of Harmony's tomb as being circular. It is square in the show. Corrections have been made.
Maybe I should actually reference things before writing about them, you know?
Uuuuhhhh!!!!! This story is sooooo amazing!!!!!
Hold on a second... only ONE CHAPTER LEFT? Noooooo! This wonderful story must never end! But I'm so excited for the ending at the same time!
"Does a more malicious clockwork than insanity exist?"
There is
Hatred
Unlike vengeance, vice, and sin which burns until it gets what it wants
It is unbending, unmoving, and cold just like metal
It can be heated, tempered, and molded into differing forms of purposes
But they are all the same regardless unlike it's antithesis and opposite state
Love
Although it can be used as a force of good as much as evil it could be a hatred for evil, crime, or simply chaos
Hatred is cold and unfeeling it cares not whether it is used to spark the flames of wrath or cut through the veil of deceit or death and life and the very fabric of reality
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Im stealing all of that and using it in a story at some point. That's the most real thing I've ever heard.
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If you wondering how I learned that you could say I've learned from those who know of it
I've had deal with fellows who practically screamed of "I'm vices and sins, nice to meet you" and those who were paragons mainly to stop them from arguing with each other which I might sounds alot from perspective as
Bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker bicker
And with thier jobs I'm honestly not surprised but I listened to both and in the process learned "what you are doesn't define you" heck I can pull an example straight from mythology the Goetia member Solaleo, demon of love
Never thought you'd hear the word demon and love in the same sentence did you?
But if you want an idea for a story I have you can take it heck I can probably email it to you if you so wished
Heck it may help me divert my attention from where this world and age is heading