The clouds crept along of their own accord across the face of the moon, always an unnatural and unsettling sight.
Cookie steeled himself as he made his way through the dark, deserted streets of Everfree. The shops were boarded up and buildings and houses sat empty, rotted or crumbling. Towards the edge of town, the forest had sent vines to reclaim the wood and stone ponies had borrowed, and everywhere the few remaining ponies barred their doors at night for fear that a manticore or timberwolf might be feeling bold.
Equestria was thriving elsewhere; Cookie reminded himself of that several times a day. In Everfree the only sign of it was the castle and school, and the block of buildings closest to those where an inn, a pub, and a dry goods store stood clean and well tended, with lights in the windows and ponies going about their evenings inside.
He passed those and made his way to the castle. It was still the seat of government, and nervous guards stood at the door. Perhaps it was the condition of the town, or the same magic that drove the ponies away, but off-duty guards spoke over their cups about shadows and strange movements that made them sure there was danger ahoof, even if they could never find the source.
The guards allowed Cookie through with a nod, and he slipped into the secret passages of the castle, following the familiar route to Celestia’s chambers. The room seemed frozen in happier days, with richly colored decor showing only daily wear and a warm fire burning in the hearth. Celestia lay before it on a pile of cushions, focused on a scroll and quill held in her magic.
“Celestia, I need to speak to you about something important,” Cookie said softly.
Celestia paused in the scroll she was writing and looked over at him. “Personal matters, or state?”
He frowned. “Both, actually. I know you’ve noticed the state of the town and forest.”
She nodded, her brow furrowing. “I have.”
Cookie swallowed. He hated to say these words. They felt like a betrayal of his friends, though he knew that any one of them would have said them decades sooner. He took a breath and looked down.
“I feel it may be time for us to leave.” Glancing up at her, he went on, “As long as the forest isn’t controlled, ponies will not return. Just about your entire court is in Canterlot, they only come by carriage to see you. The only things left in Everfree are the castle and the school.”
“Which are exactly the things I need to attend to,” Celestia said, setting down the scroll and quill she held in her magic.
“Yes, of course. But perhaps they could be attended to someplace else?” He drew a scroll from his saddlebag and unrolled it, laying it flat on ground in front of her. On the scroll was a drawing of a many-spired palace nestled against the side of a mountain and notes regarding the same.
“What is this?”
“Your castle and school as they might be in Canterlot. Not exactly, of course, I simply had an architect draw up some sketches to give you an idea.”
She grinned, and he saw a happy light flash in her eyes, the spirit of the passionate young pony who had charmed him years ago.
Then her eyes dimmed and she shook her head with a sad smile. “Cookie… I couldn’t spend this money when I have a perfectly good castle here.”
“It’s 800 years old, Celestia. The upkeep will soon outstrip its usefulness, especially without the craftsponies here to do the work.” He sat down beside her and smiled. “Besides, I’ve spoken to the court, and I got the nobles and business ponies to agree to a special fee if it means no longer having to travel to Everfree. It should be reasonable, for this sort of thing.”
She smiled at him, then looked at the scroll again with deeper consideration. “It’s beautiful.”
Cookie smirked. “I thought it was a ridiculous confection, myself. But I’m told it’s the style these days, and the view will have no rival.”
“A pony could see all of Equestria,” she agreed, wrapping her wing around him. “And these balconies! They would be so lovely for raising the sun in the morning. I might even enjoy it again.”
As her eyes scanned the picture, worry began to cloud her face. Her lips pursed, even as she seemed to take in each detail.
Cookie nuzzled her. “If something’s off, we can speak to Sketchston.”
Celestia sighed. “No, I’m just considering how I might convince Luna to move.”
Pulling away enough to look at her, Cookie raised his eyebrows. “Have you considered why you would bother?”
“She’s my sister. She needs me.” Celestia frowned at him, and her magic rolled up the scroll and set it on her desk.
Cookie frowned at her in return. “Celestia… Luna does nothing with the court, nothing with the government, nothing with the school… Leave her library and she may not even notice we’re gone.”
Celestia pulled her wing away and regarded him suspiciously. “Did you do this to remove me from my sister?”
“Not at all. If she wants to come, she’s welcome. It may be good for her.” He stood and walked to the window, looking out first at the darkness of the town, then the eerie movement of the clouds in the moonlight. “I brought this to you because Everfree holds little for either of us anymore. I have no reason to stay, and I know Canterlot would be good for your government.” He paused and stared at the moon. “And I don’t like the idea of the two of you here by yourselves.”
“You’ll be merely an hour away by flight. I can visit you nightly.”
“I know that,” he said as he turned to see her smiling fondly. He gave a nervous smile in return and shook his head. “It’s just… something Hurricane said once about Luna. It may be foolishness, but I worry for you.”
“For me?” Celestia raised an eyebrow, the smile still on her face. “Luna’s nature worries me as well, obviously, but there’s no need to concern yourself for me.”
Cookie pursed his lips, and glanced back at the moon. He began to pace in front of the window. “What is Luna’s nature? She’s cold, sullen, secretive in her council and blunt in her actions, easily offended and slow to forgive, she thinks herself superior based on no virtue I can see…”
“She has many virtues.” Celestia pulled herself up and fixed him with a stare.
Cookie paused in his pacing and raised his eyebrows at her. “Name them.”
“She’s more learned than I am,” Celestia said quickly. “She’s thoughtful and serious, she’s unafraid to take action.”
Cookie nodded and started pacing again. “She may be learned, but she lacks wisdom. Without that, action becomes dangerous. And with her lack of care for ponies… it may be most dangerous for those closest to her.”
Celestia cocked her head slightly. “What are you saying?”
Cookie stopped and turned to look at Celestia. He’d never mentioned the conversation at Clover’s funeral; he knew Celestia would take it as unkind gossip at best and treasonous slander at worst. And he was content to consider it such, when the castle and town were full of ponies with their eyes on the sisters, when the creatures howled far away in the depths of the forest, and when the clouds and shadows stayed in their proper places.
But here and now, it had to be spoken. He lowered his voice to a whisper, hesitant but loud enough to cross the room. “Hurricane spoke of treason. He saw her nature and thought a bid for your crown wasn’t out of the question.”
Celestia stared at him with wide eyes for a moment. Then she narrowed her eyes and drew herself up to a regal bearing. “How dare you say such a thing?”
“I didn’t for many centuries.” Now that the words were spoken, a calm assurance fell over him and he walked over to sit next to Celestia. “But Hurricane was a pony who understood power. He’d watched hundreds of commands over his life, both successful and problematic, and his estimation seemed worth keeping in my thoughts.”
“He was foolish in this instance; a military command can not be compared to ruling a kingdom,” Celestia said as she pulled ever so slightly away from Cookie. “Hurricane has been gone for centuries, and Luna has shown no eye for my crown.”
Cookie nodded. “This is true, and to be considered. But her nature hasn’t changed. If anything, it’s become far darker than he ever saw.”
Celestia glared at him. “And leaving her in a lonely castle in a wild forest is the way you seek to change it?”
“After centuries of resistance, there is no reason to seek. A pony must be responsible for themselves, and rise or fall on their own actions.” His voice softened, and he caught her eye. “I only seek to protect you from the harm those actions might cause.”
Celestia relaxed, her face softer as she spoke. “I have no fear of my sister, Cookie. I love her, and come what may I will stay by her side.”
Cookie frowned and hesitated, then nodded. “Well… that is your choice, and I understand it, though I might not agree. But… I must make a choice as well.”
“As I said, I can visit you nightly if you wish to go.” She nuzzled him, the warm blanket of her mane floating over his shoulders. “If you built an estate, you could even host me and I could conduct business with the nobles there.”
He was quiet for a time, first trying to enjoy the moment and then putting his thoughts in order. Finally he sighed and laid his head against her. “Celestia, I’m tired. The events with Discord, watching Everfree crumble… I need more than a new city. I need a new life. An opportunity to live without eight hundred years on my shoulders, in my words and deeds, and in my own thoughts.”
“A new life...without me?” she asked softly, her body tensing against him.
“Never, my love.” He smiled. “You are the sun that lights my sky, and the only thing that makes this life slightly bearable. But you can’t be the only joy in my life, it isn’t fair to either of us.”
Worry clouded her face. “Cookie, if you need more from me…”
“I need more from me, Celestia,” he said quickly, hoping to remove it. “How would you feel if Smart Cookie disappeared, and at the same time a small house was built on the edge of the forest with an unassuming and reclusive scholar living in it? In time I would grow unclear in ponies' memories, and then I might move among them under my new name with none but you the wiser.”
“Would you come to me as often?” Her wing draped over his back and held him close.
“We could arrange matters how we wished. At first I might, so you can feel certain that my love for you is as strong as ever. It would be more difficult, though, so we may end up spending more time apart as years go by.” He watched her face, and laid a comforting hoof over hers as the worry returned. “But those years stretch indefinitely, and we both might find some good in time to ourselves. And if not, nothing is being done that can’t be undone.”
A silence fell between them, but neither Celestia’s wing nor Cookie’s hoof was withdrawn. He knew that this was no small request, and prepared himself to accept any answer without complaint, so long as Celestia was content. However disagreeable his life had become now, it was nothing compared to the thought of facing it alone.
Finally, Celestia said softly, “I won’t oppose the idea, Cookie. I want to oppose it, my instinct is to keep you as close to me as I can… but I have seen the difficulties you mentioned, I know them myself, and I wouldn’t deny you the chance of a more comfortable life.”
“Thank you.” Cookie leaned over and nuzzled her, kissing her cheek tenderly.
She smiled and nuzzled back, whispering in his ear, “I’m sure there will come times when I wish that Princess Celestia could disappear, and a bride come to whatever dear little space you’ve made for yourself.”
Cookie chuckled. “I’m afraid that might be more difficult… your very specific beauty is known far and wide.” He smiled fondly and shook his head. “And even if it were possible, you would never consider the idea seriously.”
Celestia sighed. “I wouldn’t, but a pony needs a dream for cold nights by herself, if her lover isn’t there to warm her.”
“I’m here tonight, and I will never leave you cold for too long.” Cookie looked into her eyes, and then leaned into a deep kiss. Her lips pressed to his and their bodies pressed next to each other, and it calmed Cookie in a way he rarely felt anywhere else.
They parted and Celestia smiled. “Then tonight, I am content. And the future is in the care of the stars.”
***
The castle seemed consumed by shadows as Celestia’s chariot landed in front of it, as it did each night. Since the palace in Canterlot had been finished, she left just after dawn each day and returned just after sundown; she so rarely saw the castle in sunlight anymore. It had been a decade, and it was beginning to feel as if her old home existed only at night, the heavy stone held together by darkness.
She shivered as she quickly walked inside, but the dark, echoing front hall offered no comfort. For that she turned to her thoughts: the bright white palace where she spent most of her waking hours; Cookie waiting in her room, as he should be tonight, keeping the fire warm and candles lit.
Her focus was on this when she heard a door close. She looked up, startled, and saw the shadows in the area moving. Steadying her nerves, she was about to light her horn when a figure stepped into the moonlight of one of the windows.
Celestia relaxed with a deep breath. “Luna.”
“Yes?” Luna stared at her.
“You startled me.” Celestia smiled. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I do live here still.” Luna didn’t move. Her eyes remained locked on Celestia.
Celestia held the smile on her face, but it was taking effort under her sister’s unnerving gaze. “Of course. You just so rarely leave your chambers. How have you been?”
Luna snorted softly and stepped through a shadow, then back into moonlight in front of Celestia. “Safely hidden from my subjects, so you have no need for concern.”
Celestia frowned. “I had no intention to hide you from anypony. I told you when I was having the palace built, you’re more than welcome in Canterlot.”
Luna raised her eyebrows and said calmly, “What use have I for that gilded folly hanging off the side of a cliff? You built it to court the favor of the very ponies who ought to be courting our favor… and how will their favor serve you when it crumbles?”
“It’s very sturdy.” Celestia raised her eyebrows in return. “Far sturdier than this castle, these days. Decay can only be kept at bay for so long without the care of ponies, and we haven’t had a mason nearby in two hundred years.” She glanced around the dark room and couldn’t keep from swallowing her nerves. “If a building is going to crumble around us, it shall be this one.”
“We shall see,” Luna answered. Celestia firmly told herself the smile at the corners of her mouth was imagined, a trick of the light.
She shook her head clear and replaced the smile on her own face, an especially warm one this time. “Luna, you should at least visit the palace. It does have uses, even for you…”
Luna just looked at her with a dry stare, so Celestia went on:
“There are so many spires I hardly knew what to do with them, so one is equipped with the finest telescopes and tools. I’m told by the scholars at my school that it offers the best views in Equestria for study of the stars, and the pegasi control the weather, so there aren’t nearly so many clouds. Of course, it’s wasted on me, but I thought—”
“Your bribe shall not work,” Luna said coldly.
The smile never left Celestia’s face in spite of the flash of annoyance she felt. “It wasn’t a bribe. My students will make use of them.”
Luna arched an eyebrow. “Then it is still a bribe, but for your students rather than me. Perhaps it will distract them from your lack of knowledge.”
“That’s hardly fair.” Celestia frowned. “I may not be as learned as you, but I’ve studied at least several lifetimes worth of magic, and more diverse subjects besides.”
“Shall I applaud your mastery of frivolous pursuits?” Luna said, cocking her head with a derisive snort.
Celestia drew herself up. “Understanding ponies is hardly a frivolous pursuit. Do you forget the most powerful—” She looked over at the sound of hoofsteps on the other side of the hall.
Cookie stood in doorway that led in the direction of Celestia’s chambers. He looked between the sisters. “I’m sorry to interrupt.” His attention turned to Celestia. “I saw the chariot land, and I came to check on you.”
“Luna and I were just…” She frowned and shook her head. Cookie was the last pony she needed involved in their bickering. “It was nothing.”
Cookie nodded and walked over next to Celestia, eyeing Luna. “I’m glad to see Luna, actually.”
Luna frowned. “Princess Luna.”
“Luna,” he said firmly. Luna narrowed her eyes at him, but he just raised his eyebrows and went on. “I’ve been hearing from ponies a concern about their dreams. A nightmare creature lurks in them and seems to be spreading, affecting more ponies each day. Ponies are even starting to whisper she might escape dreams and steal children or terrorize lonely travelers.”
Celestia frowned. A dream was nothing to worry about, but she hated to hear that her ponies were frightened. She looked to Luna, who was still staring darkly at Cookie.
“They know you guard their dreams, and they wonder why you don’t put a stop to this,” Cookie finished, looking to Luna expectantly.
Luna calmed her face to an even expression and drew herself up. “You may tell them I am a Princess, and I act when I wish.”
Cookie nodded, as if the response was expected. “I can think of a number of words that will fit better than ‘Princess’ when I relay that.”
“What do you imply?” Luna snapped.
He glared at her. “That I would not stain the title Celestia uses by applying it to your selfish display of power when there are so many more colorful and common words for your disposition.”
Luna looked at Cookie for a moment longer, then turned pointedly towards Celestia. “Well I would not stain our title by making use of a filthy mudpony plaything, but I must bear the dishonor nonetheless.”
Celestia’s eyes went wide for just a moment before narrowing in anger. "I will not hear language like that in this castle! You speak well out of turn, Sister, and if you continue in that manner about any of our subjects I will take it as treason against Equestria."
“Who are you to tell me how to speak in our castle?” Luna narrowed her eyes in return and took a step towards Celestia. “You don’t have those fools of court to stand behind, Celestia. I am your equal here.”
Cookie snorted. “Right now you are not equal to the scullery maids. They actually perform their duties and earn their keep.”
Luna fixed him with a deathly glare, but Cookie stood firm in it. Celestia tensed, ready to take action if Luna’s horn lit.
After a moment, Luna relaxed and her face shifted to a satisfied smirk. “The duty of a princess is to rule. Perhaps I shall take up my duty.” She turned and walked towards her chambers, still speaking, “As to the nightmare, I am educating my ponies. It is right that they learn to fear the darkness.”
“Luna, if you are to rule, you must—” Celestia started firmly, but she was answered with a slamming door that echoed through the hall.
“Blessed stars,” Cookie muttered. “Come, let’s get out of here.”
He turned around and started towards Celestia’s chambers. Celestia followed, but couldn’t stop glancing over her shoulder until they made their way to her rooms.
As soon as the door shut behind her, Celestia looked to Cookie and shook her head. “Cookie… I don’t know what to say. Nopony in Equestria should use those words, least of all one of the princesses you crowned. I apologize on her behalf.”
Cookie waved a dismissive hoof. “Don’t, Celestia. It means nothing coming from you, you were more shocked than I was, and I’m not holding my breath on an apology from her.” He pursed his lips and looked at her pointedly. "It's getting worse.”
“I know.” Celestia walked over to her mirror and her magic removed her crown, setting it on its stand. She followed it with her necklace and hoofplates.
“You should leave,” Cookie said behind her. “She is mad. You can no longer be sure what she might do.”
"There must be a way to get through to her,” Celestia said, looking at herself in the mirror. She could wear hundreds of faces for her subjects, from false smiles to the deepest and most pure concern. Yet none of those seemed to have the slightest effect on her sister.
“Perhaps there is, but…” Cookie hesitated until Celestia turned around, looking at him expectantly. He frowned and continued, “This situation with the nightmares… she's well out of favor with everypony, noble and commoner alike. If the ponies of your council knew what took place here this evening, I'm not sure she would be a princess of Equestria when they meet next."
Celestia shook her head firmly. "I don't want that, Cookie. That would hurt her terribly.”
“But would it be wrong?” Cookie asked, arching an eyebrow.
Celestia thought about the conversation in the hall, and could only respond by looking down with a sigh.
Cookie nodded and went on, “And if she’s dismissed she will become more unhinged than she is now. There would be no way you could safely remain here.”
“Then we can’t allow it to happen,” Celestia said as she walked over to lie before the fireplace.
Cookie looked her in the eye. “She’s not fit to be princess.”
Celestia looked away with a sigh. “She would never speak to me again.”
Cookie rolled his eyes and lay down next to her, nuzzling her shoulder. “If that was the worst she did I would thank the stars.”
Looking into the fire, Celestia thought about Luna as she was when they came here. Nervous and awkward, but so full of humor and love beneath it. The change seemed grotesque when she compared them directly, yet she knew she’d watched over centuries. She’d sworn to herself she would stop it, and now...
Tears stinging her eyes, Celestia said softly, “She was the first duty I took up, you know. When Mother and Father fell to Lord Tirek. Nopony asked it of me, but I knew that she would need to be cared for and protected. Star Swirl stepped in to teach us, but… I was her family. Her mother and father. This is my failure.”
She felt Cookie’s body lean against hers, offering strength, and he said gently, “She was never suited to rule.”
Celestia shook her head. “Nopony is suited to rule. I failed her. When we came here, I became so busy all of a sudden. I had a kingdom to rule, and I wanted to spare her the pressures. And you… I don’t regret our love, but I should have been more careful, spent more time with her. But she was focused on her studies, and she had Star Swirl to guide her, and I thought… I was foolish. Perhaps I still am…”
The more she thought about what she might have done differently, the longer the list grew. She wanted to care for her sister, but each step had been misplaced; she could see that now. Why hadn’t she then? Why had she allowed it to come to this?
Her thoughts were interrupted by Cookie’s soft, strong voice. “You could resign to mend things with Luna. The council would send her with you, and she might be better if you both were out of the public eye and your attentions were on her alone for a time. Equestria could get by, it’s likely a democracy would work at this point. And the unicorns could raise the sun and moon, if you two no longer wanted the duty.”
Celestia let that wash over her. It offered hope; hope that Luna might be brought out of her darkness, that Celestia might be redeemed of her failure, that she and Luna and Cookie might live as a family, with happy days stretching before them. With Cookie beside her, it almost felt like it could be real.
But it couldn’t be real. There was a weight on her head, even with her crown shining in its place across the room. She loved her sister, but she loved her ponies as well…
She closed her eyes and lay her head on Cookie’s shoulder. “We both know I can’t do that. I am family to Luna, but I am Princess of Equestria. That must be my duty above all else.”
Cookie’s hoof gently stroked the back of her head. “You are a pony, Celestia. You have personal considerations.”
“I know that too well sometimes,” she murmured, smelling the scents of baking and garden that clung to his coat. She sighed and righted herself, and pulling away from Cookie’s comfort. “But I am still a princess, first.”
He smiled sadly. “Not to me.”
She nodded and draped a wing over his back. “I’m glad of that. I hope it can let you see how much I care for my sister, and how much I want to help her, even if I can’t give my crown for it.”
“Of course I do.”
Celestia frowned. “Right now, all I can do for Luna is protect her crown so that she suffers as little as possible. Will you help me?”
Cookie was silent. He studied her, his face dark with worry and argument. She answered him with quiet pleading.
Finally, he sighed. “I won’t tell a soul what happened here.”
Celestia smiled. “Thank you, Cookie.”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “But there’s only so much that we control in this situation. In the end, this falls on Luna.”
“I know.” Celestia nodded and glanced at her crown once more before settling into the comfort of Cookie’s body and the warmth of the fire.