> Goodnight Fluttershy > by BlindBlossom > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight Sparkle sat in a wooden chair accompanied by a cushion that her friend Rarity made, after she had complained of have a sore behind, from sitting in the chair too long. She got her blue pegasis feather, that once belonged to her friend Rainbow Dash. Twilight proceeded to dip it in some ink a few times and checked to make sure that the ink didn't drip on her paper. "Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight spoke as she wrote, "I'm sure your aware that my friend, Fluttershy has recently passed away." Twilight stopped for a moment and read through her text, she nodded thinking it wasn't wrong and carried on. "Believe me or not but I think that i've coped with their deaths rather well, after all it was natural and long ago I prepared myself for this and I plan on coming to Canterlot so we can discuss opening an acedemy to find the next bearers, but for now I have concerns" Twilight dipped the feather in the ink once more and checked to make sure it wouldn't drip and continued, "It's Discord." She started a new line. "He has not took it as well as me, he thinks that I don't care for them anymore and that she deserved to live and not me, I understand his pain but he wont think that" Twilight sighed, "I don't know what to do, he hasn't left her cottage ever since and refuses to allow me to enter or even come near" "I've tried sending mail to him but no letter gets near, i'm worried that he might... try something that is wrong" thunder struck her window making Twilight jump with fright, however she sighed again and looked at her letter. "I suppose I should elaberate... recently Zecora has sent a letter to me, Discord wanted odd materials ones that could reanimate someone, or somepony and I think that he plans on resurrecting Fluttershy" "Should we allow this? i'm not sure, we can't risk him attempting to take over Equestria again, he had no specific reason to take over before, messing with ones grief can cause him to possibly overpower us" Twilight stopped again and looked at her window, rain was pouring heavily and strikes of thunder and lightning continued. "I hope you can offer a solution soon, Princess. Your ever faithful friend, Twilight Sparkle." She signed it and used her new way of teleportation to send it to the princess. Discord sat in the house, dark and dreary not like when she was around. Quiet and lonely, she always knew how to make this old home into a lively place. In her later years she never really changed, shy, timid and very insecure but whenever the ponies came to insult him or blame him for their problems, she always spoke up and managed to convince them away - Peacefully. Not like him, one snarl or growl would often send them away but she disapproved of such manner, and at first it was annoying but over time the ponies came to leave him, after they realised that the impossible could occur. Discord, the lord, no master of chaos could be tamed, but by the one pony that could be regarded as practically invisible, Fluttershy. Discord allowed a small tear to leave his eye, just the name would bring him close to tears. The thought that the one pony that could do some magic would be known as princess, a fake one too! it angered him. "Why?" Discord muttered, "Why does that purple mess live whilst, my pretty has to rot in the ground?" Not that he would allow such a thing, no, he preserved her body, somewhere, he'd never say where but he did and no one had a clue. He stood up, wobbled at first but quickly got his balance, he then conjured up a duster and proceeded to dust the cabinet and various animal like knick knacks that she'd found interest in over her final years. But a single photograph was sat in the middle of the now clean cabinet, it consisted of the mane six sat together laughing. He wasn't in their friendship group at the time but he still felt a warmth from the setting, he wanted to jump in and relive those years again, he wanted to change what he had done, something that he never would have thought to do. "Why didn't I confess?" He wondered to himself. "I had so many chances and oppertunities, so many moments where she was practically begging me to say something but my stubborn nature never wanted to give her the satisfaction" He hit himself with the duster as a form of punishment but needless to say the dust caused him to sneeze, thankfully it was only small and didn't knock over anything nearby but it did however sound like a squeak and that made him jump around thinking it was her, jumping herself with surprise. His ears flattened when he realised she wasn't there. He sighed, dropped the duster and walked over to the couch. He reminisced about the times they sat in front of the fire, specifically in winter. It made him cringe with anger, but he sat in his spot and looked around the room, memories and scenes from the happy, sad and exciting times. Images of her were everywhere, not matter where he looked he could see her. From the time when she first introduced him to the house, to when she needed help up the stairs or the times when her animals would gather round with their bowls. During her later years, the animals left or died, whichever. Non of that mattered to him unless it meant something to her. Discord laid back on the chair, particles of dust would swarm around him, he didn't care a click of the finger and it was gone. However he was weak and exhausted, though he hadn't done anything, just going through this unknown emotion caused his magic and energy to drain away, Zecora said it had something to do with sadness or madness but again, he didn't take her seriously and simply took in a few words. After all, this emotion and grief will be gone soon. Celestia had finished her duties for the day and decided to retire to bed early. However before she managed to take her royal shoes off, a letter came. Celestia wasted no time reading it, taking in each word. She simply smiled and collapsed on her bed, its soft quilting desperatly wanting her to embrace it but she fought off sleep and used her magic to bring an old book, paper, quill and ink on her bed. When it was placed a few yards in front of her, she sat up and placed the paper on top of the book, dipped the quill into the ink and began writing. "Dear Twilight, I believe that you are indeed taking this rather well and I am proud of you for that. But do not worry of Discord, the lessons that Fluttershy taught him may very well restrain him from doing any harm. If however he does stir up trouble then let me know as soon as, since me and Luna will be able to aid you." Celestia fought to keep her eyes open, but she knew that sleep was coming near, so she once again used her magic to put the paper, book, ink and quill to one side, implying that she would finish it when she woke up. It wasn't professional but she was exhausted. "I'm not as lively as I once was" Celestia said to herself whilst kicking her shoes and royal outfit off. She tucked herself under the cover and got into a comfy position, it reminded her of when Discord would visit... Celestia shook her head and laughed a little, "Move on" she told herself, before losing herself to sleep. > Chapter 2 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia found herself wandering around her garden, the flowers were a brighter colour than usual and the smells were surprisingly rather dull. The statues that are normally there not only for decoration but to teach the young fillies about what the good and bad ponies before them had done. But the statues were dancing, hugging, apologising and performing other peacefull gestures and yet, a statue in the corner had her attention, it was huddled up and it had a very unstable structure as cracks were evident on its back. Celestia was tempted to move to it but one step towards it made it go further away. The other statues seemed much brighter and seemingly wanting her attention but her fascination was to the one at the back. Many ponies had said in Celetia's life span that she was good at finding ponies inner conflicts. Celestia then saw a small pony figure, blackened by the shadows, yet it had no bad aura. In fact it was so pure and mysterious that Celestia couldn't help but wonder as to whom it was. But it strange as she watched this figure move towards the saddened statue, the other statues offered plenty wonderful gifts but the figure walked through them, no hesitation. When it had got to the statue and put a hoof out towards it, it had looked at it in possible shock, then anger. Within seconds the figure was nothing more than dust a strange dream indeed. Luna appeared from the moon, and landed near her sister. "Strangest dream you've had yet sister" Luna commented, whilst casting a glance at her sister. "Perhaps it is what the world will become? another peak into the future?" Celestia said, also glancing at her sister. Then candles came from no where and danced in a formal fashion, violins were playing in mid air everything was peaceful again and it was almost romantic, however before the sisters could say anything the world started spinning and Luna took her leave. "Your waking up come talk to me once your awake" Luna yelled before Celestia shot up in her bed. She was breathing heavily, until she calmed herself and her breathing. A knocking could then be heard. "Just a moment" Celestia said. She sighed and got to her hooves and used her magic to pull in her royal trinkets and look like her, majestic self upon getting to the door, she heard the pony humming, she chuckled knowing this humming and once again she used her magic to open the door. "Princess Celestia" Twilight bowed with respect. "Oh, Twilight you should know that you don't have to be so formal around me" Celestia lightly chuckled. Twilight stood upright and looked at her former teacher in the eye, "Did you get my letter? I thought you hadn't when I did not recieve a reply" "I did" Celestia said, "Unfortunately due to the increase of ponies wanting to request something of me, I have not had much time to rest" Twilight felt sympathy towards her, since Ponyville only has a few hundred ponies in it, not like Canterlot. "Shall we head for Luna's room?" Celestia suggested, "After all I must see her as soon as" Twilight nodded, "Okay" They both trotted through the vast corridors and staircases until they reached a part of the castle that was much darker than the rest, whilst doing so the two caught up on recent events and had a few laughs when they had arrived Celestia said, "Sister are you here?" Luna opened it and said, "Come in sister... Twilight? what are you doing here?" Twilight was shook from her awe and trotted over to the door. "Oh I um..." "Its alright just come in" Luna said. Celestia turned her head and saw Twilight, she indicated that she come in and she did. "Your dream sister is nothing to ignore" Luna said, as she moved over to a desk. It was almost impossible to see her, due to the room being so dark. Though she soon lit a few candles which helped brighten the room. Celestia sat at a chair that was placed near the desk, Twilight trotted over and stood next to her. Luna turned her head and chair, to face the two. "I'm sorry Twilight but I don't have anymore chairs in this room" Luna said sheepishly, "As you can guess I don't have many visitors" "It's alright Princess" Twilight smiled, Luna also smiled. Luna then turned her attention to her sister, "Your dream was... questionable" Celestia frowned, "Questionable?" "Yes, sister. I think some pony is obviously distressed" Luna looked at Twilight for a moment. Twilight thought of some pony that may be upset but no one in Ponyville was upset, not that she noticed anyway. "What if it isn't a pony?" Luna said, both Celestia and Twilight realised whom it could be. "Discord" They both said in unison. "Precisely" Luna said, "I think that he is going through grief" "But what does that have to do, with Celestia?" Twilight asked, as Celestia was currently lost in thought. "I don't know" Luna said, "Perhaps my sister is worried about her old... friend" Luna said with bitterness at the end. "I can't see why she should be worried about him!" Luna frowned, "He has done too much to us, I have no pity for him" Luna put her hooves on the desk, her head nested on them. "Luna..." Celestia muttered, before sighing. Twilight felt uneasy but tried to defuse the situation, "I'm not a fan of him myself Luna, after what he did to me and my friends, it hurts but i've learned to forgive him... so please-" Luna banged her hooves down on the desk, "I will never forgive that monster!" Twilight stood back in fear, Celestia got to her hooves she had heard enough. "Sister, what he did is over, I won't make the same mistake twice" Celestia said, "However, I want you, to act professionally and try to form some forgiveness for him... please for my sake?" Twilight observed them, her fear gone as she saw Luna almost crumble from her sisters words. "I can't." Luna sighed, trying not to show her tears, "I won't. No matter what you say. I won't forgive him" She suddenly used her magic to teleport Celestia and Twilight away, to the hallway. The door shut, Twilight put her hooves out but was zapped by a barrier. "She wont to see us for a while" Celestia said, her face filled with sadness, "I have seen this barrier too many times" Twilight backed away and followed Celestia to where ever they were going, the mood had changed from cheerful to a thick atmosphere that Twilight could cut it was unbearable. Luna however sat in her chair, the clock ticking she rubbed her hooves over her eyes numerous times until they were sore she then used her magic to grab a book from a very dusty shelf as it landed on the desk, all other books were thrown to the floor. She flicked through the vast pages, each one filled with past emotions until one that was by far the most conflicted, angry and emotional page. Luna lit a nearby fireplace that glowed green and she read the page. "Dear Celestia or should I say, dear Princess the most loved by all! except for me of course. I have learned something today, something that will shock you, something that you hoped that I would never say or write, since it would break your little heart. I have learnt that you are a fool, a pig headed, selfish fool! you took him back! After years of making you the sister that I once knew, to then be taken away from me again! I've tried so hard to keep you from making the same mistake over and over again. Don't you remember? He would mess everything up and you wouldn't say anything. When me and him had an arguement about you, I fought for you and you betrayed me. You took his side. I staked on my moon that you would take my side over his any day, but no. You strolled into the throne room, with your lucious pink hair and perfect coat and told me off, claiming that I was in the wrong. Whilst he sniggered in the background. It hurt me, and the moon was also crying for me. The moon only understands me. So what if he could do things that other stallions could never do? So what if he could do things in the bedroom that stallions would never do? So what if he promised to be good and never do anything to the kingdom? He lies. After a few days of the bitter silence between us, you came forward expecting me to apologise. Of course I refused. I wasn't the pony in the wrong just because you are older, does not mean that you are wiser. I hate you. Perhaps once I did look to you once and see this all wise, goddess but now... I don't wish to hate you, and maybe its petty anger that makes me want to hate you but, I could be so much more. I want to be loved by everyone else, and if given the chance I could make this place so much better. But I will wait. The moon has given me strict instructions on when to strike. It has promised me the chance to be loved. I want that more than sitting through meetings, and sitting in the shadows. My time will come, just wait Tia. Enjoy whatever it is that you have with that draconequus. Because when the moon is ready. I will be the best princess and loved by all! Your once wonderful sister, Luna." Luna closed the book, her eyes over flowing with tears each one ice cold. "So much bitterness" She thought to herself. "And yet it all feels familiar and still fresh" Luna cast her gaze to the green fire. She stared at it for a long time, watching the memories of her being in this room, talking to the moon. The promises of glory and love from others was all that she wanted. Since at the time Celestia was everything, the pony could do no wrong. The pony that got everyone's praise, Luna however only got stares. People mumbling in confusion as to who she was. Why was she next to the princess? After all, who cared about the stars and the unique nights that she would show. The constellations and all that made Luna different was ignored, she was just there to make Celestia look even better. Luna once again shook herself from the daydream, tired she trotted over to her hidden bed in the bookcase and tried to sleep as the morning was due to come, exhausted she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep until it was once again her time to shine. Celestia by this time was outside her room again, the dark hallways shifted into a bright and beautiful cream colour. Though she was alone, Twilight had wanted to nip back to her castle and retrieve some data that she aquired for the princess to see. She didn't want to be alone at this point but nothing can stop Twilight when her mind is fixed on research. The castle was off limits today, so ordered that once every three months the castle would not be open to the public. No questions were to be answered, or asked. It was a day that Celestia wanted to be on her own. A day that she could relax on, or finish important work. Whatever it was, it was for her alone. So with that said, Celestia went into her room and collapsed on her bed. She sighed heavily and thought deeply about her sister and what she said. "Your dream sister is nothing to ignore, He has done too much to us, I have no pity for him, I will never forgive that monster!" Celestia fixed her gaze on what seemed to be nothing, until she focused her eyes and saw something. Closing her eyes, she got up to her hooves. Opening them again caused her feel slightly dizzy but she composed herself and walked to her wardrobe. Using her magic she opened it and sure enough it was a photograph album. "Our happy times" was written on it. "Oh" Celestia smiled, "I thought I left this at our old castle" She laughed lightly and used her magic to put it on the bed. Then she trotted back over towards it and lay down on the floor, a warm fire was lit she then placed the book in front of her. When she opened it, the first picture was of Luna being very young. Celestia turned the page and it was a photo of Luna again but she was in a bath with a much older filly. "I remember that" Celestia smiled. However there was a big jump in the photos, seeing as though an 'accident' destroyed the rest of the photos until Celestia was sat on a bench with a rather young draconequus. Celestia blushed slightly, "We were so young back then" Her hoof stroked the page she turned the page again and this time, it was a article cut out about the draconequus taking over Equestria and how the princesses were getting ready to strike. The page next to it however showed a photo of a stone version of Discord. Underneath the photo was written, "I'm sorry" Celestia knew it was her writing and remembered the nights where she would cry, and continously beg for forgiveness from a statue. She closed the book, not wanting to read on or find any other memories that could plague her mind there were happy ones, just like at the start but it all leads to sadness and regret later on everything that Celestia has done, always leads to a grim end. That could by why she depends on Twilight so much and sends her away to do all the tougher work she and her friends over come everything together, or at least they used to. Which always did help her sleep easier at night, even if she felt guilty about sending another pony to do her work it was always with good intentions and she believed that Twilight could do it, if not then she would do it herself. She always reasoned that it would benefit her when she became a princess getting experience now would be the best option, Celestia nodded to herself. Celestia wanted to have one more look through only skip the Discord part she opened past the page and sure enough, it was a photo of her grand opening ceremony it consisted of Celestia cutting a ribbon that would be the entrance to her academy. A piece of text was written underneath, "When I read this again, I hope to have to found the one pony that will outshine me and bring peace to all the land so that I may have a friend" "Twilight..." Celestia mumbled. Upon turning the page a young filly was their, amongst all the others in the group however she had a bright red circle drawn around her and humorously too Celestia it wrote, "She is the one!" Celestia chuckled, "How childish of me..." After turning over various pages of Twilight's development throughout the years, Celestia found a photo of him giving her flowers. "Who took that?" was her first thought. In the photo, Discord is winking and she is pastered with surprise. "Ah yes, I took it the wrong way..." Celestia admitted with a sigh. She turned the page and realised that, she had put no new pictures in she then put the book on a nightstand, It took her a moment to realise that everything was quiet this was the first time in years that the castle was silent. "So strange" She thought to herself. Although it made her think about the one incident in her past. Books were being thrown across the room, growls and snarls could be heard, he was angry... "Tia, when are you going to put that sister of yours in her place?" He yelled. The young Celestia sat on her bed, avoiding his eyes. "Please forgive her, she is only young and worried about me" Celestia said. "I'm sick and tired of this!" He threw more items acorss the room each item had a sickening thud, some of her precious belongings were being destroyed. Celestia then stood on her hooves, "Enough!" she yelled. "Do you not think that i'm angry too?" She took a step closer to the angry beast. "You too are the children here!" She took another step, the beast seemed nervous but still held a serious face. "If you cannot accept my sister then leave!" By this point she was up close to the beast, her horn in his face. He narrowed his eyes and said, "You've made big mistake" He then vanished. Celestia fell to her knees in defeat. "Discord..." She cried. Celestia in the present day got up to her hooves and gazed out of the window. "I wont make that mistake again my dear sister... I wont..." She gazed up to the sky and watched the moon fall down. For once in a very long time, she felt at peace. End of Chapter 2.