Luna was a loss for words as she had to observe the one Pony she held dear over any other crumble into a crying mess. She had always seen her big sister as the stronger presence but even in her massive set of armour she looked so small and fragile as she wept into Lucius' neck. The sicken ponies that laid about coughed but otherwise were still but she barely registered as the sounds of true sadness and despair filled the large room. The echoes seeped into Luna's very soul as she started to approach her sister with tired but quiet hoof steps. The Nocturnal Princess was about to place a hoof on Celestia's shaking form until it was slapped away by the slouched Mare.
“Leave me, Luna,” Celestia scowled through her sobs.
“Sister, I only want to help,” Luna pressed once more but was meet with a small blast of magical pressure which caused her to stagger back in disbelief.
“I said leave me alone, Luna,” Celestia turned her head to glare at her Sister. Tears had visibly soaked her fur and Luna would not doubt that it would stop anytime soon. “I wish to be alone,” she said once more before returning her gaze below to Lucius' lifeless eyes. Her tears came again like a flood as she lowered her head till it touched with his.
Luna opened her mouth but found she was struck at a lose. She didn't know what to say to make this situation better. This was something beyond her normal expertise. Despise all the violence and death that she has experienced, to have it happen so close to her Sister's heart, it was worrying to say the least.
The large double doors that lead into the main entrance of the City Hall burst open to show Humans with weapons raised. Upon seeing the Princess' however, they lowered their weapons. Ye'Lucia approached slowly as she noticed the scattered bodies of Ponies in varying degree of pain but the one sound that seemed to trump them all was of Celestia's.
“Is the battle won?”
Luna gazed into the human's hazel eyes trying to search for the right words.
“Yes. The evil that has perverted this land has been conquered,”
Ye'Lucia beamed a smile that soon spread to her kin. A cheer erupted among their ranks and wolves howled into the night air.
Until a form pushed past Luna which caused the cheering to fall silent. Celestia levitated the Centurion's still form with his shield and sword over his chest. The crowd quickly made to disperse a path for the Princess. Celestia didn't stop or mention a word as her gaze seemed glued to the floor, her mane which used to show such vibrant life now remain still and dull. The colour of it almost seemed to fade out as if washed once too many times.
The heart wrenching quiet quickly seeped into the hearts of every soul there. They did not know of Lucius Vor but they knew to fall in battle to defend the innocent is one of the most honourable things a mortal could do in their life time. Their respect was shown as their hands hovered over their hearts and they bowed. The large Eurasian wolves bowed their heads as the body passed by until a single man waited at the end with a helmet and chest piece in his hands.
Celestia stopped as she noticed the feet of the man before her. Slowly she willed her tired head and neck to see the man as Ye'Gaarm and in his grasp was the red plumage of a Centurion's helm. New tears welled in the Mare's eyes as she levitated the helm back on it's rightful owner. The armour she simply tied to her flank but as she gazed up to the man all she could do was nod in deep appreciation before moving on.
The rising Sun that day was not one of happiness for the citizens of Manehatten. Doctors and supporting staff now swarmed the city streets as dozens of makeshift clinics arose from any sanitary location available. Through all of this Celestia had simply walked through the streets with the most precious of all belongings. Many that weren't completely engrossed in a task at hand had stopped to witness their Princess like never before. To their eyes, Princess Celestia has always been a figure to look up to and admire. She was always presentable and with manners that would make any guest feel like talking the night away over tea or wine. The love that she showed her subjects was hard to rival and through her fairness in court many Ponytarian laws were passed to see the betterment of their kin for ages to come.
The Mare before them now was nothing like that.
Her mane and tail that were now caked with blood hung flat and lifeless. Her steps showed fatigue and some would see her stumble but even when the braver ponies or Royal guards offered their hoof to help she simply pushed them away. Those who knew the Princess would than also recognize the fallen man that was levitated beside her. His bright red cape wrapped around most of his legs as to make sure that his armour would reflect the Sun's light in all of its glory.
Soon the Princess had entered the make shift base of operations at the Harbour as the swarming of activity showed that the restoration effort was well under way with the wounded and sick first on the list. Celestia had ignored all of it even as the Sea of Humans, Ponies, Gryphons and Wolves went quiet as they all gazed to the Princess and her fallen Fiance, the last Centurion. The Princess slowly boarded the HMS Eclipse, the sister flag airship to the Solar, and ordered the crew to take off for Canterlot. The Captain was going to mention something about this being her Sister's ship but judging by the look on the Princess' face, he rather would like to keep his head.
Luna had watched all of this with utter frustration. The frustration was not directed towards the enemy nor at any Gods but at herself. Her very own blood had just lost the one Person that help make each day brighter. Luna knew she was banished for most of Lucius life but the bond that the two shared was something Luna rarely witnessed and now it was shattered. She wanted to scream out and throw anything within hoof reach but through deep breaths had calmed herself. As the Eclipse rose into the early morning skies, Luna tried her best to divert her attention to the much need City.
Twilight tapped a hoof against her head several times as she waited inside the Castle walls as the report of an inbound airship was relayed. She had spent most of last night and this morning trying her best at keeping everything moving as smoothly as she could. She couldn't enact any law but she was in charge of the court along with other trusted advisors for the crown. Most of the problems was with panicking nobles but others were reports that came in almost every half hour. The last message however was the oddest one.
Princess Celestia wishes to meet with Fabulinus.
That was it. The message was devoid of any other material and as the advisors waited along with Twilight and a confused Fabulinus, the tension grew. Suddenly a horn blew out and the large gate swung open only to have a very shocking image to step before them.
“Princess?” Twilight spoke as she tried her hardest to see the resemblances to her mentor that she knew and loved. There was Ponies from the tabloids outside but in their own shocked expression, they barely even wrote or took pictures. The one Pony that did try to take a picture was levitated with Celestia's own magic and in an instant the Camera was crushed into an odd cube that fit in the news pony's hoof.
Everything started to click in as Celestia entered the courtyard to show her levitating companion that was behind her. Twilight let out a sharp gasp as she recognized that red cape and helm anywhere. Fabulinus joined her shocked expression with one of his own as the Princess passed them to head towards the large doors leading into the Castle proper.
“Princess, I can't express the words that my broken heart is feeling. I am so sorry,” Twilight manage to say as a tears of her own started to flow.
“Twilight,” the Princess motioned as she stopped before the Castle doors in a tired and pained voice.
“Until Princess Luna returns from her duties in Manehatten, you will be in charge of the court,”
Twilight was placed in shock for the third time in less than five minutes but as she tried to speak out she was silenced with Celestia who shut her eyes and shook her head slowly.
“Fabulinus,”
“Princess,” the Librarian chocked out as he took a step forward.
“Do you know the proper steps to a honour a true Roman burial?”
Fabulinus knew and as he gave his head a nod he was rewarded with a chest piece of armour.
“That belong to his Father. I trust you will take proper care of it?”
Fabulinus let out a sniffle before nodding as he ran a shaking hoof over the chest piece.
“I leave the Funeral in your hoofs, Fabulinus. Twilight will give you complete authority for anything that you may need,” was the last thing Celestia said before pushing the large Castle doors open unceremoniously. The inner guards went to attention but as the body of the Centurion floated by they instantly saluted and as it was all the way to the Castle shrine. Twilight had followed the Princess and soon noticed the discarded Royal armour in bits and pieces about the floor. Until the final chest piece was left outside two closed stone doors.
“I'm sorry, Princess,”
The next day was spent in a sorrow filled state. The entire plan was set in stone and many of the rushed arrangements were being made. The Shrine doors however never opened as soon assortment of food would be set outside for whenever the Princess was ready. As the morning came closer it was time for procession to start and Twilight stood beside her Mentor who was now clad in her Royal attire of crown and shoes. The body was placed upon a bed that was infused with magic to ensure effortless levitation and as they departed the castle with a complete arrangement of ceremonial Honour guards did everything weigh heavier upon Twilight's shoulders. She felt the sorrow echo through her body which only made her heart pain out for her teacher.
Celestia ignored Twilights's worried gazes as they moved along the silent crowds in the street. She was honestly shocked at how many Ponies had gathered to see the man off with sad eyes. Why? They barely knew the man nor of his deeds and heart. They didn't know the way that he spoke when regaling about his home land or when having nightmares at night. They knew nothing of Lucius Vor. It was at this moment, Celestia had to silence a voice within her mind that grew with anger.
Thankfully her lowered vision caught the view of the train station and with it, her escape from this City.
The ride was one of silence and mourning. The car that held Lucius encased body was only occupied by the Princess and her thoughts. The thoughts that were of sorrow had been slowly confused and the Princess lowered her head on the glass case just above Lucius' face. Anger, frustration and jealousy seemed to infect her thoughts almost to the point of an ache that erupted. She winced as the pain grew slightly but as she opened her eyes to see her beloved, it faded to a bearable level.
Why did so many of her subjects get to live a happy life with family and friends? Celestia has lived for over a thousand years and she had to endure threats, invading Empires and other evil without and within. She banished her only remaining family to the moon only to leave her in insufferable isolation. Just once, she wanted to taste that happiness without a worry. For one lifetime, she wanted to spend it with a man she completely adored and understood. It was all these thoughts and the image of a vineyard that made the Mare begin to break down once more.
She had helped build a land her parents would be proud of but she no longer felt the same warmth.
The Ponyville stop was much more pleasant as the much smaller population showed up with large bushels of flowers of so many colours that to call it beautiful would not be nearly enough. The Elements of Harmony were centre stage as they wore simple black dresses and their own iconic Element jewlery. Spike, the poor distraught Dragon, had cried heavily in Rarity's tight embrace and this caught Celestia at a pause as she levitated the baby Dragon to her own embrace.
The little Dragon's vibrant green eyes gazed up at the Princess and as one they hugged. Their was something about Spike's honest innocence that made Celestia truly believe the Dragon's emotions. Lucius and Spike were just making their beginning steps of friendship before the terrors struck Canterlot. Now the Dragon had remained here with one less friend and nothing but sorrow to replace the void.
The remaining trip was in silence as all who could make the hour long walk came. Celestia approached the final site as she noticed the pyre before her on a hill over looking the valley between forests. This was the spot that she had first meet the Centurion under very different circumstances than how they were only days ago.
She watched as the crowd gathered as the Sun dipped below the horizon and with it a form that flew down from above.
Celestia was struck with silence until Luna's fore hoofs wrapped around her big Sister's neck to pull her into a hug. The two Alicorns sat together for a moment as Celestia tried her hardest to keep the tears from escaping once more.
“You are the strongest Mare I know, Tia,” Luna spoke softly as she rubbed Celestia's back in comfort.
“I wasn't strong enough,” Celestia broke with her own words as she bent over in inner pain. “I wasn't strong enough to save him, Luna. I wasn't strong enough to save you,” she said as her voice began to wane.
Luna was off put by the comment she knew how much blame her Sister was now bearing and it was crushing herself within. She knew her words were not perfect so she simply let her actions speak as she wrapped both hooves and wings around the mourning Mare. Soon though, they were accompanied by Twilight and the rest of the Elements. Twilight tried to express how much she cared for the Princess and that every time the Princess shook with sadness, she would not suffer alone.
Ten minutes went by as torches were lite by the Honour Guard standing near the Pyre.
This brought Celestia out of her stupor as she gazed at the glass coffin. She gently pushed Luna away with a nod before getting up to close the distance to her Lover one last time. The Glass was levitated off and this was all it took for the tears to fall.
“This is your moment,” Celestia cried as she leaned against the side to look over Lucius. “Please don't make me do this. Show me a sign that this is simply a part of your God's plan, that any moment you will come to life. You did it once before in our bedroom remember?” Celestia choked as she gazed the Man only to see that his form remain still. Her tears fell onto the armour with small plinks and this was where she encompassed his form with magic. She tried her hardest to concentrate as his form raised above the casket but she winced with pain only to see a bluish magic aura join with hers.
“I'm with you, Sister,” Luna spoke softly as the two Ponies lowered the body atop of the Pyre. He laid there with all that made him who he was. He wore his armour that was shined by Celestia herself and with a brilliant red cape to show his Roman colours. His helmet's plumage was awe inspiring and she wanted it all to go with him to where ever he was headed.
In an instant Celestia pulled the torches from the guards and levitated them over the four corners of the Pyre base. Her cloudy vision fixated on Lucius and with a final thought the torches dropped to alight the Cremation ceremony.
The fire reached high into the night sky and with it, Celestia's cries.