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// Sympathy - Photo Journal and Lunar Justice 
// Story: Philomena: Short Stories 
// by CMCShortStoryBrigade 
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Philomena, the loyal and loving phoenix that had accompanied Celestia for what seemed like the entirety of Philomena’s life, awaited patiently in her cage as the day progressed. Celestia moved her The bedroom where she was kept was uneventful and empty apart from herself. Any other day she would have been released to enjoy the outdoors, but Celestia knew of the planned inclimate weather and feared Philomena getting stuck outside in it. Philomena knew how to take care for herself even in a heavy storm, but Celestia wasn’t taking any chances, not this time. It would be awhile before Celestia got over the fear of losing her in a storm again. 

There was a peaceful aroma about the room. She listened to the quiet taps of the raindrops against the tower. The half dozen or so candles dimly lit the room in a flickering glow. She wasn’t sure when to expect Celestia’s return, but she felt no worry that it would come eventually. There had been many nights similar to this, and Celestia never broke her promise of returning. Even when she was gone for months, she alway kept her promise, and that was what reassured Philomena.

Her eyelids became heavy as she progressively felt more and more tiresome. The rain pounded against the tower as the storm gradually became worse. The room brightened with each strike of lightning, accompanied by slight rumble. She slowly dozed off to the relaxing mood the storm had set.

Suddenly, she heard somepony quickly approaching beyond the entrance to the room. The doors flew open with a loud thud. The crack of thunder and the downpour of rain drained out all other sounds. Celestia galloped inside, her mane and coat drenched in water. She headed straight for the bed and buried her muzzle into the covers. Soon all other sounds died away. Philomena only heard the sobbing. She didn’t care about anything else. She wanted to be there for her companion. She didn’t want to see her like this. Despair began to enter her mind, but it was soon replaced by another emotion. 

Anger: that was the feeling. The sight of Celestia’s despair was one not preferable by loving eyes. The only thought coming to mind was that of the entrapping cage surrounding her. No comfort could be found by either mate of this witnessed weep. Her watcher’s feelings had a great impact on her own. But it wasn’t the sympathetic sorrow that fueled the blaze bursting from her extended feathers; it was anger.

Anger: formed from the loss conception of any suitable solution that would relieve Celestia of her pain; formed from the thought of her helpless efforts to escape her captivity; formed by her defeat. Her body flared hotter than it had in years.

But her efforts did not go unnoticed. A golden aura engulfed the door to her cage, magically releasing the bolt and swaying it open. Philomena spread her flames against the air, gliding over next to Celestia before landing by her side. The phoenix peered into the watery eyes before her. She knew not the reasons behind her suffering; only that it existed and she wanted it gone. She brushed her beak against the side of Celestia’s nuzzle in a comforting gesture. A single tear made its way down her beak against the mares face, met by the tears of her longest known colleague.