A few weeks went by and things began to fall into a new routine for both the royal sisters and the ponies of Equestria. The citizens the kept a strange pattern of sleeping late into the day and waking up in the afternoon. When it was time for the sun to set they gathered on hills and rooftops or anywhere with a clear view of the sky to count the stars as they came out. During the brighter half of the moon phase they slept even later into the day in order to work under the coolness of night. In the homes of unicorns and richer ponies, tiny fragments of clear jewels dotted ceilings to create an illusion of the night sky and the new rave among all the artist was to create expressions based off of the dancing lights. Finally, in whatever they did at night ponies kept an eye on the skies for their beloved princess flying overhead.
With so many ponies wake during the night there was little need for Luna to roam the dream world in search of nightmares. She flew the skies willing to stop for any pony and mingle among the citizens from farmers to barons. The fact that generations had almost forgotten her was now a bit of a blessing. With ponies not used to seeing her in such a regal stature she seemed far more approachable than her sister. She was both a princess and a friend.
As much as she loved this, large part of Luna’s routine was searching for the dragon so he could undo it all. If she was going to have it than she would only have it without causing the suffering of another. Restlessly Luna searched all of Equestria, the surrounding lands and the dream world but that dragon was nowhere to be found. Either he had gone way too far for her to connect with him the dream realm, had cast a spell to keep from dreaming, or more likely both.
A deep sigh escaped from Luna as she stood on a balcony watching the evening sky and predicting another fruitless night of searching. She could always make herself invisible so that no pony called to her and gain more time to search. However, Luna knew deep down that she would never find that dragon again. Not unless she could leave Equestria for a season or more to search in far distant lands. Even then, she may not find him.
With another deep sigh Luna raised her head and reached out to the moon. As it rose it cast its soft light over the surrounding lands and caused the castle walls to glow. Before Luna could leave, steady staccato beats echoed like drums from inside the castle. Luna’s heart pounded faster. It was time for another part of her new routine.
Slipping inside, Luna looked down the hallway to see her sister heading her way. Celestia’s eyes gleamed bright and angry but she still carried herself in that proud way she now had. Luna couldn’t help but find it disturbing. No longer did she give off the aurora of calming confidence, there was only pride.
“Hey, do you want to come with me tonight?” Luna called out to her sister while forcing herself to smile. “You haven’t been out to see ponies for a while.”
Celestia’s eyes hardened ever more but she refused to even glare at her sister as she strode stiffly past. Luna took a deep breath vowing to be patience. After all, she knew exactly how Celestia felt and understood that she was not at fault for her behavior.
“It’ll be fun!” Luna insisted chasing after her sister. “Ponies must miss you for-“
“Do they?!” Celestia roared suddenly rounding on Luna. “They don’t seem to miss me at all now that they have you. We both know that you just want to gloat over stealing attention from me. The past two weeks not one pony, not… one… pony had wanted me to preside over hearings. They all request you.”
“No, I want to spend time with my sister,” Luna pleaded. “Celestia please…”
Celestia just snorted and kept walking down the hall but her sister was not about to give up. “Celestia, there is no need for us to fight. They haven’t forgotten you. It is rather like what you told me a few weeks ago. This is new to them. They have had a hard time and I am simply the next new thing now that they’ve remembered me. Soon they will pay more attention to you again. Besides it is obvious that they do not love me nearly as much as they love you. Can’t you tell by their actions?”
Celestia finally stopped and slightly turned her head to look at Luna with one eye. Glad that she was finally listening Luna continued, “They don’t scream my name in droves like they do when you appear. They don’t bow to me like they do for you. I mean they bow sometimes but more as an afterthought. They do not see me of full of royal spender like you. I mean they know me as a princess obviously but I think that they see me as being closer to a friend and more of a normal pony than a grand princess like you.”
“I wanted that!” Celestia screamed causing Luna to jump back in shock. “I did not want them screaming my name! I’ve wanted ponies to see me as more than a high regal figure. Ponies stand back, afraid to approach me, or they bow and scramble about to serve me! They never just talk to me as a pony because they are unable to see me as a pony with emotions, wants and needs! I’ve wanted ponies to see me as a friend not a celebrity for so long! I’ve wanted to mingle freely among them since day one of Equestria but I can’t. I can’t walk into a room without ponies scrambling to bow and touting “Your majesty!” I can’t have a normal conversation with regular ponies. I can’t laugh and joke with them. I can’t get an honest opinion out of them without them being terrified. I’ve wanted them to know me as Celestia the pony so badly but I can’t ever have it!”
The silence that fell on the hall after Celesita’s outburst was more defending than the princess’s cries. Celestia glared at her sister with fire burning in her eyes. “Go entertain you ponies and leave me in peace,” Celestia snarled before shoving past her sister and storming into her room. The slamming door echoed loudly down the hallway. Silence fell for a moment only to be broken by the sad heavy hoof steps of Luna walking away.
Celestia glared at the door waiting for the sounds to fade. The she snorted and walked to a large ornate mirror. She stood still a moment admiring her image that was reflected back at her. Her sleek form was matched by a sleek smooth coat. She stood tall and imposing and her rare rainbow colored hair flowed with magic in a way that few princesses had.
“They should simply admire me though,” Celestia said to her image. “It is irritating that Luna would have what I wanted for so long even if I don’t want their friendship anymore! Why would I ever want to be friends with such lowly ponies." Celestia scoffed. It was ridiculous for me to ever want that. I am too powerful and grand to be concerned being their friend. However, that is also why they should adore me, NOT Luna!” She glared into the eyes gleaming back at her from the glass. "I will a way to make it happen."