Princess Clementia

Since the very beginning the tragedy of the Two Sisters has had a special place in my thoughts. This etude is inspired by their story.

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A black alicorn slightly parted her eyelids to check for presence of light she seemingly detected.

The moon surface was glowing dimly, as usual for that time of day. A bright spot was indeed on the horizon, so her eyes opened fully.

Nightmare Moon jumped up onto all four hooves. In a distance stood a tall white mare. Her fur and hair were emitting soft light; her wings open, like if she had just landed, and her forehead featuring a long horn, like the moon prisoner herself. Her eyes gazed right into Nightmare's soul.

Celestia?

Nightmare bared her fangs, shifting to a pre-battle stance, as the white mare slowly approached. 

"Who are you?!" the black one shouted. Though not unlike, that was not Celestia before her. Nevertheless, an opponent of matching power. And no magic left to fight her off. Albeit...

"Moon protects me!" Nightmare warned. It was true. Even dethroned, she kept her connection with the night light; a magical sphere around her was a liveable protection from the vacuum, cold, and other hardships of outer space.

The visitor passed through the edge of the sphere without any delay and unharmed.

Nightmare reared up, her forehooves beating the air before her, a magical chain tying her to Moon becoming visible and almost material, swinging under a collar on her neck. No one is going to defeat her here, at the symbol of her power!

The white mare also pushed her front off the ground, slipping between Nightmare's punches, her face filling the view and immediately followed by her mane, her neck brushing against Nightmare's, hooves sliding around her shoulders, and the black alicorn felt herself clenched... in a hug?

Caught by surprise, she plopped with her rump into the moondust, causing a miniature sandstorm. Long years of anger were boiling inside her, but this wasn't something she had prepared herself to take it out on.

The white mare sat in the front, keeping the embrace and the soothing touch of her neck. So could hug her her mom... When had it last happened, in the past life? Or her sister... She had had a sister seemingly, had she? Yes, she had... Celestia had been her name.

Celestia...

But they had broken off... She never paid us attention... Not since she and I became rulers. We were left to ourselves actually, nopony seemed to notice and appreciate our deeds... No, they never did.

Before Nightmare could react, the white mare suddenly leaned back, and then their horns crossed — in an intention to use a link all magical horn-bearers could share. Foreign emotions and memories reached her mind.

Exhausting. Always occupied with matters of state. The burden only keeps growing. The Exodus... The Sacrifice... So tired and lonely after the sunset. Losing even her own...

Sister?

Losing even her own sister. She's coming back. Where has she been this time, for how long? The people finally seem fine, time to heal what has left of her own family. To remind everypony the face of their second well-doer. Everything is ready for the festival...

For a festival... That day should've become a big celebration. For her! For them. And I...

She broke everything. If there was a way back for her, there is none anymore.

You are forgiven.

What?!

Your sister is the only one who might hold a grudge against you after all the time passed. She does not.

Sister isn't angry at her?

You are loved.

Loved... It was a lack of love what started her journey to the wrong side, wasn't it? Can sister love her after what has been done?

Raising the sun alone, again. After all the long years of sorrow it seems there is no more tears, and then a single glance at the moon brings them to her eyes. Luna... If only she could return her sister sooner...

Celestia wants her back?

You are being waited for.

Celestia isn't angry and wants her back!

And now it's time. Your sentence is over.

Her sentence?

My sentence?

A pale-blue filly opens her eyes. There is no more chain nor collar. She raises her sight and sees the familiar globe of Equus. It's strangely attracting her right now.

Magic. Aetherial winds are flowing past her towards her home. Now they've started growing stronger. Her hooves detach from the ground. Moon is releasing her.

Into outer space.

There is a frightening moment when the protecting sphere dissolves, and the vacuum touches her; but her magic is returning, and soon she is able to protect herself.

If there is still a pair of eyes on Moon to watch, they can see a little alicorn filly up in the moon sky, flailing her limbs while dragged by the magical wind towards Equus with increasing speed.

"Tia-a-a!"

Her advance stops to be purely physical, and magic carries her towards home.

"Tia, catch me-e-e!"