The fallout of their announcement had gone better than hoped. A variety of groups had, naturally, screamed and hollered about the deviance of Equestria's rulers, accusations and investigations had been made by a few of the less flattering tabloids, and a few scathing opinion columns had come her way. Still, these groups and opinions had been minorities, and the rest of Equestria had been much more accepting. Twilight was right that they liked feeling part of it. Interview columns had asked candid and friendly questions, the dogged paparazzi angled to snap particular tender moments rather than trying to embarrass her further, and newspaper columns in the majority had reported on the proceedings as if they were the greatest thing since the last royal wedding.
Discord had cut off any drama in the courts about their public release with a wicked scheme of his own. He had made it so that fifty percent of the nobility perceived her as her normal gold and white colour scheme, while another fifty percent with poorer eyesight saw her as being black and blue instead. Any nobles with a penchant for dramatics and bickering had been sucked into the debate about whether she was blue and black or white and gold, leaving her new relationship mercifully unaddressed.
All of this had only exacerbated her current concern, that being the current condition of her fellow ruler and sister, Princess Luna Everfree. While in court, she had little time for worrying about the state of her sister, but flopped across her master bed, she was finding it hard to do anything else. Some of her attention was upon the work in front of her--a series of letters outlining projects that were eagerly awaiting her approval in order to get started. But there was a pattern to these things, and she could easily correct poor decisions in the morning if she missed a specific detail. So it was that the remainder of her attention went to Princess Luna and her current object of envy, Twilight Sparkle. The alicorn in question had draped her head against Celestia's belly, where she was currently highlighting phrasing on tax law proposals that could be exploited by greedy businessponies.
Conversation had started cheerful and casual. But the shadow of her sister's absence loomed over the conversation. Here and there, Twilight had paused. Bit her lip or looked thoughtful. Still wrestling with how to break her own opinions to her, even after so many weeks. Then, all at once, it had happened. Discussions on a birdwatching journey Fluttershy and Missie had taken part in, Pinkie Pie's attempts to teach Discord how to bake and the reaction Griffonstone had had to their special announcement faded into a lull in the conversation. Then, with a glance into Celestia's eyes, Twilight had opened her mouth.
"Speaking of people who couldn't make it, I'm really curious about where Luna was when we were at the Grand Summit. She didn't even have an announcement saying she was too busy to attend! I sent her a letter asking if she was okay, but--" Twilight sighed. "She never wrote back." Twilight flipped a page of the tax sheets, frowning at them. "I'm really worried about her--but I know that if anypony knows what happened, it'd be you. There's no way you wouldn't at least have investigated it, and there's no way you wouldn't be every bit as worried as I am if you didn't know why she was missing."
Celestia stiffened, her breaths slowing to even, measured inhalations. Flopped on her back and focusing on the laws of her kingdom was not where she was hoping to have this conversation. Just as she began to prepare a platitude, however, Twilight looked over at her with a tender, bittersweet smile. "I also know that you almost certainly didn't tell me for a reason. And after the spa date, I've figured that the reason is a good one. You said to trust you on that, so I am. So," Twilight looked over at Celestia, her eyes shining but her lips pursed, "I wanted to tell you that I'm curious, and worried for you, but that I'm deciding to respect your privacy." She exhaled, as if shrugging off an invisible burden. "I won't poke at it, and I'll be there for you, whether you're comfortable sharing or not. But I need to communicate," she emphasized this with a quick, wry little grin, "that I want to know. I want to help, however much you'll let me."
The tension that had been building fled with Twilight's words, leaving Celestia soft and silent for a while. When she at last spoke up again, she did so quietly, but with a firmness fueled by conversations with Missie. "That is...very welcome, Twilight. You are right that I am loathe to talk about it." She paused, chewing the tip of her ink feather. One of her hooves stroked Twilight's side, and the smaller alicorn leaned into the touch. "But also right that I should." She pursed her lips. "Do you believe that there is a limit to forgiveness?" Twilight swiveled her head back towards her paper, her brow furrowed and her quill circling a bit of ambiguous syntax.
"I'd like to forgive everypony, honestly. I try to give anypony who wants one a second chance. But...sometimes you just can't, even when you want to." She refocused her gaze, looking back to Celestia. "But, err, that was rhetorical, right?"
Celestia gave only a tiny shake of her head in reponse. "Truth be told, I'm genuinely uncertain. I want to forgive, to believe that this time the change will be for good and I will see the better pony she promises me she will become. But each time..." At this she lowered her gaze, sighing. "Each time she takes a step forward, I allow myself to hope. But the story is always the same. One moment she is making friends with you, the next she is doubting your competence and trying to insert herself into a mission to save an Empire she and I already failed to save in hopes of upstaging you. One moment she is helping Scootaloo find a cure to her nightmares, the next she is inflicting them upon Sweetie Belle."
"To be fair," Twilight circled a piece of faulty reasoning, "in that last instance she was trying to help Sweetie Belle let go of her jealousy, and how unfair she was being to Rarity. And it worked out just fine."
"I shudder to think what she might have subjected the filly to if it hadn't." Celestia sighed, amending a proposal on troubled foals' outreach. "Her projecting herself onto a pony that young...regardless, you are right that her intentions are never wholly malicious, nor the grievances that colour her actions unfounded. But these actions nonetheless are hurtful, often to myself and those closest to me. This time she crossed a line. I too have my limits."
At this Twilight straightened, flipping herself over to stare directly at Celestia. "Princess," Twilight said, the two of them sharing a quick grin at the nickname, "the most important thing I've learned about forgiveness is that you have to be in the right mind to give it, first. I've tried to force forgiving somebody in the past, and it worked out badly for everyone involved. I mean, heck, I lied to you about it! That's how out of sorts it got me. Me, lying to you about a friendship lesson."
"Really." Celestia swiveled her head to study Twilight, who only nodded in response.
"Really." Twilight stressed. "When you asked me to redeem Discord, I wanted to believe I could fake it until I could make it. I really did. But I just couldn't do it, no matter how hard I tried to. Not even you could make me just forgive him, not after what he did to my friends. He tortured us. Broke us down and made us fight each other. For hours. For fun. I couldn't just ignore that--and--" Twilight swallowed, "and it was wrong of you to ask me to. I shouldn't have said yes. I should have told you I couldn't just pretend to be okay with what he did to us. I should have known my boundaries.
"And boundaries are the most important part. I still have trouble with mine sometimes. As insulting to you and me as it was, Applejack and Shiny's first thoughts were to worry about you walking all over me for a reason. They were worried I wouldn't look after my own needs--even Cady talked that out with me. Looking over my own boundaries, I think it's important to establish yours. If she crossed a line with you, I think you should focus on healing that, too. You should try forgiving her only when you're in the right place to do so. When you don't, it comes across as insincere, and that can push the two of you even farther apart."
"Lessons from a box in a friendship castle." Celestia chuckled. The two of them fell into a comfortable silence, returning to a moment to their Princessly paperwork. Just as she was about to come to a decision on a restoration project, Celestia paused. "What about the honesty in the apology?" Celestia pursed her lips. "Even if--saying that Discord had had none of his powers when he had been returned from stone, and that he would only be allowed to visit Ponyville under your direct consent. Would you still forgive him?"
"No...you're right, I guess that also played a part. When we first let him out, he seemed proud of what he'd done to us all. It was only after Tirek did pretty much the same thing to him--broke apart his friendships through a series of lies, mocked him for being in pain, then left him to rot after making it clear it was all his fault--that he really seemed to regret everything he'd done to us. I guess that's also part of why I was able to accept it. It seemed like it was genuine."
"What if he'd used your forgiveness as leverage in the past? Found a way to use your forgiveness against you?" Celestia looked distant at this.
"Then..." Twilight sighed, at last finishing with her tax proposal forms. She made her final recommendations. "I wouldn't forgive him at all. Not unless he gave me some signs that he was a different creature, leading a different life. Princess--it sounds like right now you and Luna shouldn't try to forgive each other. It sounds like she's really hurting you, and it also sounds like forgiving her in the past hasn't worked out for either of you."
"But we have a shared duty to our kingdom." Celestia stressed. "We must put our differences aside, for..." She thought on her words for a moment. "For the good...of our...ah." Celestia lowered her gaze from her forms. "I think I see the problem. Not a sincere motive, is it? To forgive her for the good of our people?" She shook her head. "I've been foalish to not see it before."
"Maybe you didn't want to. I know I didn't want to see myself as the kind of pony who couldn't forgive Discord. I wanted to be as good at friendship as Fluttershy." Twilight cracked a wry smile at this. "Wanting Luna to be part of the government isn't half as bad a reason as that."
"Perhaps." Twilight would see a genuine goodness to her reasoning. But it was not the truth, in the end. If it had been a matter of government, why disrupt the system that had worked for a thousand years? Why give Luna any power at all? "But perhaps I need to investigate my feelings on Luna further. I...think I need to explore them, if I am going to establish my boundaries. A first step in this self-care you've so endorsed."
"Just make sure you don't do anything drastic." Twilight smirked.
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Starlight raised her horn in the waking world, her eyes narrowed in focus. She reached out with her magic, searching for the aura she had sensed in the dream. An amulet of dark power. She honed in on a thin trail of magic --it was going to be quite a trek. But the end result would be worth it. If it was powerful enough that she could sense a thin trail of its magic even this far north...She would never have to worry about a friend running away ever again. She searched around for her current ally.
"Luna?" She called out, making sure to wear a wide and friendly smile once more. "Princess Luna?" No voice returned. She chided herself almost immediately. Of course the Princess wouldn't help her in the waking world. It wouldn't do to be seen with such a dangerous pony, after all. She'd push Starlight in all the right directions, and then, when she'd found the dark artifacts and destroyed them, she'd swoop in and take the credit. Starlight would be pushed aside and left behind, same as ever. Associating with a rebellious unicorn would be bad publicity for Luna's little 'sanctuary', after all. Starlight huffed in resignation, trotting one hoof out in front of the other. It was alright. She was used to doing all the hard work, and used to doing it alone, too. Just a few weeks of playing along, and she'd never have to be alone again.
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"Don't you think this is a little drastic?" Twilight cut through Celestia's thoughts with clenched teeth and a sweaty brow. "This, uh...we don't have to do this right now, y'know..."
"I agree, Twilight." Celestia took another step forward. "Our timing is poor." Twilight relaxed a little. "This meeting is long overdue." And suddenly the alicorn straightened again.
"B-but what if she still hates you? What if you lose your balance and hurt yourself, and we need to take you to one of their hospitals? What if there's some kind of trap waiting for us?" Twilight tapped her front hooves together. But, despite all her protests, she made to follow Celestia regardless.
"I think we both know this needs to happen. Whether or not she forgives me, she deserves the closure." Celestia spread out her wings. "And so do I. I have done the searching that I needed to do. It brought up memories of a pony I hurt, badly, in my attempts to bring Luna back to me. If I am to gain the piece of mind I need in order to forgive my sister...first I must learn to apologize for my own misdeeds, and try to master the emotions she has evoked in me in the past. I need to do this, and I need you to respect my need to do it."
Twilight took several breaths at this, trying to force herself into a calm. Although Celestia could still feel her trembling against her side, Twilight's voice came out strong and even. "Okay. Okay. I believe in you. And in her. Let's do this." Celestia's wing wrapped around her withers at this.
"Let's." Celestia replied. With that, the two of them stepped through the portal, stumbling out on the other side. Celestia noticed the lack of balance almost immediately. Her legs were twice their normal size, and they had peculiar lumps on their tips where normally there would be hooves. Her wings no longer existed, and instead she found one of her arms intertwined with Twilight's own by a set of small, spidery appendages. They were on each arm, and she gave a small shudder at their bizarre, insectile nature. Was she even a mammal anymore?
Other details did little to comfort her further. Her muzzle was replaced with a flattened face more at home on an owl than on a...whatever she was. She had no coat to keep her warm, but whatever this form looked like without a coat of hair, she did not know, for a flowing dress had materialized to preserve her from the exposure her new hairless body would suffer. Her barrel also felt heavy, weighed down by peculiar rolls of fat that rivaled those on her flank in size. In short, her new form was rather hideous. She looked over at Twilight, who gave a few shaky steps forward. She glared at her bipedal legs, her nose wrinkling.
"Heh, I'd forgotten how wobbly these things were." She pointed to the elongated legs with one of the strange spider-digits. The strange things at the end of their arms were like Spike's claws, but longer and more coiled. Celestia fought back a shudder. "Watch your step."
Celestia moved about slowly, clinging to Twilight for support. The portal shimmered behind them, tempting her to turn back and forget this strange world. But she could not. Would not. Not while there was so clearly a wrong she needed to right here. So she took another shaky step forward, doing her best not to capsize under the weight of her new chest-lumps. The urge to fall to all fours and crawl was very strong. But she managed, slowly letting go of Twilight bit by bit. Limping awkwardly at first, then ambling in wide, wobbling arcs. At first leaning on Twilight, then walking all by herself. She made her clumsy way from the portal out of Canterlot, walking towards the wider world.
"Is there any particular reason why you are so young in this world?" Celestia asked, glancing around at the other students with confusion. "Why are you a teenager here?" Twilight shrugged.
"This place is weird. You're like, what, twenty-five here? Same with Luna. A lot younger than in our world. Oh, also, watch out for hormones. These bodies are full of them. The first time I came here I fell for this random boy out of nowhere. And us getting touchy-feely when..."
"Yes, I appreciate the issues the current age gap might cause." Celestia sighed, wrapping her strange new arms around herself. "Do you know where we can find Sunset?"
"I...think so. I can ask around a little. Would you like to stay here while I find her?"
"I think I would prefer to speak in someplace more casual than a high school. Alone, if we can. Perhaps a restaurant, or an apartment..." Celestia began scanning her surroundings for such an establishment.
"There's a public park out back. Just walk around the school lot. I can go point Sunset in the right direction. Do you...uh, want me to be there?"
"Only if things start to decay. She may need you if this encounter goes poorly."
"What about you?"
"I am made of sterner stuff, Twilight." At the skeptical glance she gave a gentle smile. "I have survived this once, and can do so again."
"Right." Twilight bit her lip. Celestia gave her hand a squeeze, and Twilight nodded. She took a few steps away from Celestia, giving her a quick smile. "Stay safe, okay?" And then Twilight was on her way, and Celestia was alone on the bench.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
Luna returned to where Starlight was currently camping, carrying food for her new friend. It was not long now. While two weeks of marching towards Ponyville had been harder on poor Starlight, Luna had had to keep from teleporting directly. She was certain her plan was not something her sister or Celestia's replacement for her would approve of, and so discretion had been a necessary evil. Starlight had seemed to accept this well enough, although a part of her still sensed distrust in the little unicorn.
It was a necessary evil. Who else was she able to turn to? Her sister, who had made it clear to her she was no longer welcome in the company of? Her rival, who had spoiled everything between her and her only family? The foals she had helped, who had as much true power over the Equestrian government as she herself? No, this troubled unicorn at least listened, fraught though their friendship had been. And it seemed that, with every passing week, the two of them drew closer together. While Celestia and Twilight had been dealing petty politics with the elites of Canterlot at Galas and Summits, she had been spending time with a friend, building true friendships. Sneaking her food from the royal kitchens. Telling her stories around a roaring campfire of her adventures with Celestia in happier times. Listening to her tales of life in her little village. Now, flying to the outskirts of Ponyville, she was wearing one of the rare genuine smiles she had managed since after her banishment.
She was making a friend her sister had neglected. Being a good pony in ways that Celestia could not. Now, at last, they were ready to draw another into their fold, and truly begin to be her own pony with her own worth. No trailing on Celestia's wake, nopony holding her back or eclipsing her own achievements. It brought a rare proud grin to her face. She settled in front of Starlight's latest camp, folding her open wingspan to address her fellow outcast. Palace staff had informed her that Celestia and Twilight both would be away on business in the Mirror World. With no contact with the magic of Equestria, Luna and Starlight could dig up and destroy the amulet without unwanted supervision.
Starlight raised her head at Luna's arrival. "Princess!" She said, standing up all at once. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it."
"Forgive us, Starlight," Luna shook her head. "Our sister and her grovelling companion have been reaching their hooves into every nook and cranny of the palace in the aftermath of their announcement, rooting out disapproval wherever it might lurk. But now they have journeyed outside of Equestria altogether. We are alone." Luna produced a pair of shovels, just as Starlight had instructed her. The two would have to dig for the amulet, for the aura was radiating from underground. "Nopony to stop this new beginning." She smiled.
Starlight smiled her own wide smile back. "Perfect!" She said, trotting over to stand at Luna's side. "Just perfect."
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
"So where are we going, anyway? And can you maybe let go of my wrist, or at least maybe slow down to speeds us mortals can keep up with?" Sunset rolled her eyes, smirking. "You've been practically yanking it off since we reached the park."
Twilight instantly let go of her wrist, shooting her a wide smile that did not reach her eyes. Her teeth clenched a bit. "Okay, but you can't run away." Twilight continued to edge towards a set of benches. Sunset gave her a flat look.
"'But I can't run away'?" Sunset laughed at her, shooting her a silly smile, "What, am I being ponynapped? It's not like I'm just gonna up and..." She caught sight of what Twilight was leading her towards, eyes widening. "...Leave."
"Hello Sunset." Celestia gave a fragile smile. "It has been some time."
"I'm not going back." Sunset took a step backward, her entire body clenching at the sight of the intruder. "I'm not leaving them. You can't make me!" She balled her hands into fists, lowering herself into a crouch. Celestia only sighed.
"That is not why I am here. I have no interest in taking you from your home or your friends. I have no wish to change the course you set for yourself. I think to do so would be to do you and this world a disservice."
Sunset stopped short. "What are you saying...?" Her shoulders still hunched, but at least her hands were no longer readied for lashing out against Celestia. "Did you set this up?" Sunset turned to Twilight, who held up her hands at the accusation.
"No, Sunset. I asked her to bring me. I will leave if you feel I should." Celestia said this evenly, her hands still folded across her lap. She did not meet Sunset's eye.
"I, uh, I actually thought it was a little soon, but.." Twilight kneaded the folds of her dress. "We talked it over. She wants to make things up to you. I know, she can be scary, but...Believe me. She's a lot nicer than everyone makes her out to be." Sunset still held a hunted look in her eyes, and at Twilight's gaze falling upon a picnic table further from the two of them, she nearly grabbed Twilight's wrist to yank her back. Twilight turned to stare into her eyes, gathering up her hands. "Please. I wouldn't have become the pony I am if it wasn't for her. All the good things you see in me are there in her. Just...give her a chance." Sunset looked away. "For me?"
At this Sunset laughed, a bit of her carefree smile returning. "Alright, but you owe me for this one. We're going to watch Cabinet in the Woodwork and The Hillbillies have Eyes next time you're over. Ghost Waif XII if we have time."
"Fine, fine." Twilight waved a hand. "We can finally do scary movie night, alright? Just nothing with Mexican food and we're fine." Sunset raised an eyebrow. Twilight swallowed. "Long story. Look, anyway, it won't be so bad. Just...let me know if you need an out, okay?"
"Right, right." Sunset nodded. "It's just my old teach. I got this." She sighed.
Twilight looked back and forth between the two of them, her eyes at last falling upon Celestia. "If you need me, I'll be over here." She pointed to a picnic table, shuffling away as discretely as she could in her weedy human body. The pair watched Twilight go, dread rising within them with every awkward step she took away from them.
"So I guess this is it, huh?" Sunset's gaze followed Twilight. "So...why? Why come back? Why now?"
"Please, sit." Celestia gestured to the spot on the bench next to her. Sunset did not sit. Sunset did not even deign to look at Celestia's gesture. Sunset did not move an inch. That old mask of sea ice returned, and Celestia found herself unable to say anything more.
"Why?" Sunset continued to clench herself up, prodding Celestia to give another answer.
"I find it more comfortable than standing." Celestia gave a fragile grin, then rose. "But we can do it this way if you prefer."
"Why?" Sunset hugged herself, looking away from Celestia.
"I am trying to be accommodating, for whatever that's--"
"Why are you doing this?!" Sunset threw out her arms, rounding on Celestia at last. "Why aren't you furious with me?! Why aren't you telling me how terrible I was to you?! I abandoned you! I turned an army on you! You never held back before! Go on! Tell me! We both know I deserve it! Tell me what you want to say!"
Celestia looked up at her, staring directly at that look of pain. That look of scorn. Just say it. Two words. Come on. "I missed you, Sunset Shimmer." Coward. She gave a sad little smile, "Would my hurting you make you more at ease?" The hurricane of anger broke against the waves of Celestia's calm. Sunset's pupils darted around, looking anywhere but at Celestia.
"I don't know." Sunset scowled, scuffing one foot against the concrete pathway of the park. "I don't know what I want."
"That is a mature thing to realize." Celestia bit her lip, trying to force her gaze to meet Sunset's. Trying to keep her hands at her sides, when they wanted desperately to wrap around themselves. Strange new body language to go with a strange new body. It was a continual struggle.
Sunset blew out some air, a bit of that tension in her arms releasing. It was as if she were deflating herself with the gesture. "I think I want answers. I want to know why you came back for me. I want to know why you didn't come back sooner."
Celestia stared down at her strangely human hands, studying them. "You deserve that much. But I'm afraid it's a long story, and one I do not enjoy telling." She looked up at Sunset. "I need you to listen." When Sunset did not react, Celestia continued. "You know, I wish I had met you and Twilight in the opposite order." Sunset said nothing at this, her brow wrinkling. "I made so many mistakes before meeting her." And suddenly Sunset's hackles raised again.
"You didn't have to come all the way to my dimension just to call me a mistake. Could've just said it in that stupid book of yours." Sunset rolled her eyes, pivoting towards Twilight in a single crisp motion.
Celestia gave a sad little shake of her head. "My mistake wasn't you, Sunset. My mistake was failing you." Sunset's eyes widened, her mouth falling open slightly. She looked over her shoulder to stare at the strange person in front of her. Nothing stern or angry about her. There was something brittle about the icy distance she knew so well from her world's Celestia. Something that had shifted.
Celestia's smile grew genuinely pained, a bit of the frigid mask chipping away at last. "You're wondering where this came from." She laughed an empty laugh. "When the truth is that the pony you knew was the stranger. That Celestia...the things she did." Celestia internally winced at the words as they left her mouth, but pressed on. "The things I did. They came from a place I am not proud of. Can I...explain that, at least? I think I owe you that much."
Sunset turned back to her, at last giving a weak chuckle. Unlike Celestia's, there was some genuine mirth to it. "Alright, alright. But let's actually use the benches if we're gonna crowd them."
Celestia smiled back at this. Parts of the smile even reached her eyes. "Yes, well, you always were keen to come to the things I was trying to teach you on your own terms. More the pity I could never see that."
Sunset sat down, then looked up at her. "Actually...I think you were right. To hold me back, I mean. Some of the things I wanted...It's better for Equestria I never got them. I think this place was better for me that way. I can't just magic away all my problems. I'm just another person here." Sunset smiled. "So I started acting like one."
"I am very happy for you, Sunset. I hope you believe that." Sunset gave a skeptical stare at this, so Celestia continued once more. "The Celestia you knew in this world. When you first found her, did you find her...More compassionate? More reasonable? Less demanding?"
"Actually...yeah." Sunset threw up her hands. "No offense. But you're right. I was worse when I first showed up. Felt even more like I deserved what you weren't giving me. But she found me a place to live once she heard I needed one, tried to get me to see a guidance counselor. Defended me at parent conferences. I never got it." She looked over at Celestia again. "Why is that?"
"You have a Vice Principal, yes?" Celestia looked over at Twilight. This time, she did not resist entirely. Her firsts tightened against her dress, her gaze falling to one side. "Vice Principal Luna?"
"I...yeah. In this world she's your sister."
"In mine also. And tell me, the subjects--students. The student-body. Do they like Vice Principal Luna?"
"Yeah, she's pretty popular. She's pretty funny, actually. Oh! And she knows magic, but we only ever see it at the talent shows. Fake magic. Not real magic." She tried to parse something from her company, but with every word she'd said Celestia had lowered her gaze further and further, her expression falling with it. Sunset blinked, the frown on her old teacher's face seeming out of place on her perfect features. "I don't get it. What does this have to do with us?"
"Everything." Celestia at last hauled her eyes over to meet Sunset's own. She let her arms fold around her body. Let herself bow her head. Let herself feel the old wound again. "Our world has its own Luna. Not a Vice-Princess. My equal. But of course, you're wondering where she went. What happened to her."
Sunset said nothing. Again, these emotions were alien to the being she knew as 'Princess Celestia'. Gentle patience. Scorn and disappointment. Motherly affection. That was the scope of feeling her Princess Celestia ever gave out. Twilight's Princess Celestia was another being altogether.
"The Luna in your world is popular. Fun, approachable, and dedicated. Mine was all those things and more, once upon a time. When we were still sisters. But we don't rule a high school." Celestia's arms came together at this. She forced the words out. "We had domains. Hers was dangerous, mysterious, and often ignored. Slept through rather than enjoyed. Feared and hated rather than adored. Every night ponies would utter prayers to me that her time grow shorter and mine grow longer.
"Eventually, hatred for her domain and hatred for her became tied together. I...watched this happen. I did nothing of substance. I would not force my subjects to love somepony. So," Celestia gave a chuckle that became something more strangled, her face beginning to flush, "so I let them poison my own sister. Like a responsible ruler." Another crack in the mask formed.
"I tried to comfort her. Tried to make her see their barbs did not matter, that there were some ponies who loved what she did and still loved her. But it was too little for her. I was too little for her. She grew haughty, proud and bitter. She decided to resolve her problems on her own. Her solution was what made the pony you knew. Unapproachable, incontestable, unforgiving."
"What did she do?" Sunset's heart sank with Celestia's expression. Her smile grew once more, but this time her eyes shone like glass.
"S-she tried to...murder me." Celestia shut her eyes, her arms wrapping around her torso once more. "I had to fight back. My ponies were in danger. I had to. If Luna won, she'd have starved Equestria until they feared her enough to meet her need. I had to do it. Ponies would die, and Luna might not have known when to stop. I had to do it.
"So I banished her. I sealed her away for a thousand years. Let her dream of power and hate upon the moon while I ruled. Unchallenged, unquestioned. Alone." Celestia gave a sniff, surprising herself. Hormones, Twilight had said. She sucked in a breath and set her posture straight. No more tears for Luna. She'd cried quite enough of those. "That was the mare that found you. But it might have still turned out for the better, had you had the good fortune to be born in another time. But your luck was poor. You were born in a time of great need. Luna was soon to escape her prison, and again she would attempt to kill me. I needed to protect my subjects. I needed a champion, powerful enough to stop her and face her magic with the Elements of Harmony."
"So I hurt you, even as I tried to help my subjects. The most powerful mage I had seen in four generations, a burst of hope in an era where my hope was gone. I tried...oh, Equestria, I tried. I prayed you would be equal to Nightmare Moon, the monster that my sister had become. I fed your thirst for power and for magic. You grew wonderfully...and at last I began to hope." Celestia bowed her head again, this time not looking Sunset in the eyes. "But with that hope came fear. You were proud, and haughty, and resented your fellow pony for their failure to see your potential. You were jealous of me and what luxuries my magic gave me. I saw the shadow of another pony in you, and I panicked."
"I tried to force you away from her. Away from her mistakes. But with every restriction you grew more resentful. Every new barrier ate away at your respect for me. My authority became a prison. Your magic an escape. I know this happened. I saw it happen. I learned nothing from losing my own sister. So I reaped the same result." Celestia began to twitch, her arms clenching against herself. She sucked in a gasp of air. "I didn't come back t-to punish you. I didn't come back to test you or recruit you." Now or never. Celestia let out her words in a rush of hushed oxygen. "I came back to say how sorry I am for what I did to you." Her words came out as much a hushed sob as an apology. Celestia raised her head, and this time she couldn't block the tear that ran from her fragile alien form. So instead she forced herself to look at Sunset, eyes wide and pleading. "And how...how happy I am you've found a place despite it all.
"I'm sorry, Sunset. More than you will ever know. I am so, so sorry for what I did to you. For how I treated you. I hope one day you can forgive that. Equestria knows Luna never did." She shut her eyes and sucked in another shuddering breath. "I should also say I...came back because of how...how proud I am of how you changed. Of what you've done for this world and its people. It is clear you are trying to better yourself. It is clear from Twilight's stories you are succeeding." Celestia gave a fragile smile again. "I want to be a better pony to you. I know that may be hard to believe, but it is the truth of the matter. I missed you, Sunset Shimmer, and I hope someday you can understand why our bond failed in the way it did." Celestia rubbed at her eye.
Sunset said nothing at first, looking across the park towards where Twilight was watching them. Twilight's hands were at her mouth, her teeth working at her nails and her eyes locked on Celestia's face. Eventually, she spoke up. "Why now? You could have come back any time, y'know. Put a stop to my little spree of tyranny. It wouldn't have been hard for you. Impersonate Principal Celestia long enough to get me expelled, haul me back home and put me under guards. But you didn't. You just left me here. Why?"
Celestia sighed, composing herself. "A great many reasons. The first was how busy I was. Luna's return was ever-pressing, and the searches I did send after you came up empty-hoofed. Eventually, I was forced to focus on my next apprentice and her own magical education, as well as my arrangements for when Luna inevitably attempted to do battle with me once more. The second was that I did not think finding you would be productive.
"If I were to, as you say, haul you back to our world, I doubted you would cooperate or show me great levels of gratitude. I suspected that if you wished to be found, you would make your presence known. So I let you be. The last reason was perhaps my most mature, and I came to it after some thought on the matter. Once Luna's return had been defused and I had the luxury to focus upon you, I concluded that you were right to try to forge your own path forward. You had a right to choose how you progressed, one free of quick pathways to power and overbearing teachers."
"But I didn't choose my own way forward." Sunset's head sank. "I just bullied a bunch of high schoolers until I found an artifact to fight you with. I didn't change and I didn't get better."
"Not until somepony believed in you." Celestia stressed. Sunset looked up at this. "Sunset Shimmer, you were sixteen years old when you left. Holding your failings as a student against you would reflect poorly on me, the teacher, even more than the actions themselves. Your behaviour lacked responsibility or regard for your fellow beings, but with a little patience and a little faith you grew out of that.
"If I had known where to look, I would have sent somepony I am sure. Oh, and I would have been clever about it, too. Somepony kind and caring with a lot of patience. I would have funded an expedition to explore the new dimension. Found some good ponies to suggest for it, mapped out the school myself a bit. For research reasons, of course. No direct connection to me. No pressures to find you or bring you home." She gave a shaky laugh. "I can be very witty when my sister's impending second murder attempt is not looming over my shoulders."
Sunset giggled at this, and, to her surprise, settled herself into a comfortable grin. She liked Twilight's Celestia. Twilight's Celestia was...more real. "So what happened with Princess Luna, then? I know that must not be, like, the greatest of topics for you, but..."
"Somepony saved her from her own prison, just as they saved you. Somepony who reached out a hoof and pulled her out of a crater of her own failures. The same as she did for another wayward Princess, and another wayward student."
"She does that, yeah." Sunset gave a sheepish smile.
"Do you know she used to stare up at me every Sun Celebration? Always with the most ridiculous grin on her face, like the sun coming up was the most miraculous, amazing thing the world had ever seen. The faith she has in me...in the ponies she loves...it moves mountains. It saved us both, I think. It's why I'm here today." Celestia shot a glance over at Twilight, who had a shaky grin on her face. Sunset followed Celestia's look. Twilight's grin grew stretched, and she gave a little thumbs up, ducking her head at the way the pair were staring at her. Celestia chuckled. "I only wish she could see it in herself more, try though I do."
"Yeah, actually." Sunset nodded. "That was weird. I never thought the Princess of Friendship would be so insecure. It's about the weirdest things, too. She gets all worked up about cutlery and pen placement and the number of stairs she has to go down on each foot to make an even number for each. It's a bit crazy." Sunset giggled.
"She looks up to you about that, actually. That you're so confident and smooth." Celestia smiled, turning her eyes back to Sunset. "It's been good for her. Another thing I should be thanking you for."
"Well...while we're thanking each other...thanks for coming back. It takes a lot of guts to fess up about your screw-ups. Not everyone takes it well, and...you could've just left it all to Twilight. Thanks, Princess."
Celestia gave a decidedly unprincessly snort at this title, causing Sunset to raise an eyebrow. "Something funny?"
"No, no." Celestia waved away her hand. "I just can't take the title seriously now that...long story. Ask Twilight some time." A crooked smile flashed across her gentle visage. "Her version is bound to be much more entertaining."
"Oh, this is gonna make her turn red, isn't it?" Sunset raised an eyebrow, sharing in Celestia's diabolical smile. "I'm game."
"I think on that note, I should return to my royal duties. You will forgive me that I cannot delegate everything to Twilight, I hope. The mare works herself into a rut enough as is." Celestia made to stand. Sunset stood with her.
"Actually, um...Princess Celestia. I was wondering if you might...well, come back sometimes? I missed you...too." Sunset was blushing, her hands thrust firmly into her pockets. Celestia placed a hand upon her shoulder and gave a tender smile.
"It would be my honour and privilege to do so. I always relish the chance to keep pace with my students, whether or not I was actually able to teach them." Celestia gave a wink at this, and the two of them relaxed. She made her way over to Twilight, Sunset not far behind.
／人◕ ‿‿ ◕人＼
The two stared down at the darkened amulet, both of them beaming with pride at their work. Starlight wrapped the amulet in her magic, holding it up for the two of them to admire.
Luna lifted a hoof in triumph. "Wonderous! Now we may begin to build a new society, where all ponies might--"
"Oh, we're building a new society alright." Starlight's smile darkened. "I was such a foal before. I was stupid to think the problem was destiny or Cutie Marks or free will. No, no. The problem...is you!" At this she whipped her head around, firing a spell directly at Luna. The dark amulet latched onto her chest, fueling her magic, and soon the dark red beam washed over Luna. Her eyes went wide, her jaw falling open. Black magic enveloped and began to leech at her. She could feel her magic draining, her connection to the moon wavering and fading.
"Starlight! What is the meaning of this?!"
"Oh," Starlight cooed, "did you really think I was going to build some stupid little sanctuary for you? How stupid do you think I am? The minute you had a circle of ponies that were easier to handle than me, you'd throw me away, and we both know it." Luna worked her jaw helplessly, trying to grasp at words that might repair her partner's troubled mind.
At last she seized upon the words she needed. "'Tis a lie! T'was you we wished to help most of all! Starlight, please! Let us go! We can still repair this wound together!" She struggled in Starlight's magical grip, but her fading power failed her.
Starlight pulled Luna forward, glaring directly into her horrified face. "You Princesses are all the same. Wrapping everypony else around your hoof, ignoring the hurt it causes. You threw away your own sister. Why would I think you wouldn't do the same to me?" She snickered, shaking her head. "I'm not your puppet and I'm certainly not your friend." At this she ripped Luna's cutie mark from her flank, sucking it into the alicorn amulet. Blades of magical energy formed upon Starlight's back in the shape of shimmering blood red wings. She snickered.
"But we were trying to help you!" Luna bowed her head, tears beginning to form. Starlight threw her to the ground. Black crystals erupted into a pyramid-shaped cage around Luna's hooves, forcing her away from Starlight and into a bowing posture.
Starlight only laughed at this. "Yeah right. Your sister already played the 'just trying to help' card. But it's okay, I was manipulating you anyway. I never needed you. What I needed is your magic. I've never needed friends. All I need is the right magic. And now I have it." She leered at Luna through the bars, lowering her head to spit her words directly in Luna's face. "How does it feel to be the one who gets abandoned this time, huh? You were gearing up to stab me in the back, but this time I struck first!" She spread her crimson wings, rearing up on her back legs and spreading her hooves. "But don't worry. You're going to have plenty of company. I'm going to add your sister and her teacher's pet to your little traitor's pen! Maybe they'll be your 'friends'."
Luna let the tears run freely now, her mouth and eyes wide with pleading horror. "Think of what you do! There will be no turning back from this! Think of my sister's reprisal! I cannot defend you if you travel the path of treason!"
"I don't want to turn back, Princess Luna. I'm making the rules now! I don't need your pity and I don't need your stupid laws! By the time this is over, there's only going to be one Princess in Equestria. And that's gonna be me!" Starlight vanished in a flourish of crackling red magic, a wicked smile on her face.