//------------------------------// // Last Sunset. // Story: Stories in Stone, Last Dance // by TDR //------------------------------// Stories in Stone Last Dance By TDR Last Sunset. 2109 years after Tirek's defeat. [New Canterlot, Celestia's study. ] “You what?!” Twilight demanded. “I wish to retire Twilight. It's not that hard of a concept to understand.” Celestia sighed. “Seriously?” Luna snorted. “After all this time....” “Don't let the door hit you on the way out.” Jer'rahd scoffed. “Kaisur!” Twilight snapped. “What?” Jer'rahd questioned. “Do you really think after several thousand years of hating her I’d suddenly switch to,'oh no, please don't go'?” “He has a point.” Celestia sighed.” One would think after several thousand years I would get tired of doing this as well.” “What?!” Jer'rahd asked as he was lifted up into the air by Celestia's magic and flung out the nearest window. After a moment there was a splash and the sound of panicked ducks that was followed by splashes, panicked yelling, and cursing. “Well he's not having a heart attack, so that's good at least.” Luna sighed. “ Still what brought this on?” Celestia sighed looking around her room with a small sigh. Her study had remained as it always was, well kept with a number of various books that changed though the years, her favorites moving up on shelves as new books replaced them. The newest additions to the old room were a chess set given to her by Bleu decades ago and a modern crystal music player. Beyond that nothing had changed. This was still the same room that she had first met Twilight in all those years ago. This was the same room she had first met Kaisur in as well. She knew every fold of carpet, every line of tile and worn edge of bookshelf by heart. Even Tirek hadn't managed to destroy this part of the castle. “I've been around a long long time. Longer than anyone else left on Equss.” Celestia started trailing off. “With the passing of a few key members of my court I also find that my room is finally full.....” Luna blinked in confusion though Twilight winced, it had not been that long ago she had started her own room. One that held all her friends and a number of artifacts from each of them. Acquiring Applejack's hat had been the hardest as the family didn't wish to part with it... despite the fact she had a closet full of them. It had been just as hard to get Rarity's necklace from the Kirin. Jer'rahd had needed to help her get that. Fluttershy's stuffed bear, Pinkie Pie's balloon, and Rainbow Dash's goggles had also been collected and even after all these years she still broke into tears seeing them. “Really.... that is your answer Tia?” Luna scoffed raising an eyebrow. “ Not that your daughter has finally had a foal? Or that Captain Oak brace has caught your eye?” “How........” Celestia sighed turning a bit red.” Right Changeling hive mind. Dumb question. I should figure you were keeping tabs on Canterlot. But yes Lulu. My Daughter had a foal. Sun Drip, she is not a god however.” “And you wish to be around more, to be the doting grandmother, particularly with how your daughter travels.” Luna nodded. “I can understand that. Though what of Twilight? Your relationship with her?” “That sort of went cold a long time ago Luna.” Twilight sighed. “After a few hundred years there stopped being as much as a spark and work kept getting in the way. I still love her …. but, well not like that.....” “Even the most torrid romance grows cold with time ….” Celestia admitted. “Ahem?” Luna raised an eyebrow. “You two are freaks and you don't count.” Celestia rolled her eyes. “So you are serious about this?”” Twilight asked fanning her wings a little. “I am... I've already spoken to Starcloud and he's allowing me to stay in a room he added to the bar, really it's more of a separate apartment. Granted with the retirement plan we offer any one serving the crown and with how long I’ve been working here....” “Multiple lifetime clause. Put into place because of Kaisur. The rate caps out at 100 years. Otherwise we'd burn up the royal vaults in a week. And that was just from him.” Twilight interrupted. “ You'll just have to settle for a mansion rather than a private island nation.” “Shoot and I wanted to work on my tan.” Celestia smiled, her horn glowed as she pulls a small scroll from her quarters on the other side of the study drifting it to the table before unraveling it on the table before them. Twilight and Luna looked down as Celestia pulled open the scroll, showing a list of names and options on it. “I want you two to have the final say in this.” Celestia stated. “I have a list of names here of those currently available that I would want as a successor.” Twilight and Luna looked over the list. It was a short one with only three names. “He's dead.” Twilight pointed to one of the names. “About a year ago.” “Yes, I haven’t updated it yet.” Celestia admitted. “I doubt Sunshine is going to allow you to make your grand foal a god for her first birthday.” Luna frowned. “I had to try.” Celestia shrugged. “So the only one left is Sundown.... why is that name familiar?” Luna asked. “Because she's a former student of mine.” Twilight sighed. “One you considered giving your powers to so you could retire.” Celestia added watching as Twilight flinched. “I'm glad you didn't, it shows you are making it out of the black phase of your godhood.” “I've lived through that thrice at least.” Luna muttered." Tis never pleasant." “Before you even protest Twilight. If Sundown was ready enough for your meticulous planning to take over for you, she is more than ready to take over for me.” Celestia frowned. “ From my understanding she revels in paperwork. This position was made for her almost.” Twilight tried to consider a way to protest that, but couldn't, not without revealing what she read in Spike's book. “Don't look too sad Twilight. I had been planning this for centuries. Initially I wanted you to take over for me when I first started training you. That rather derailed didn't it sister...?” Celestia glared at Luna who had passed her power to Twilight first. “I regret nothing.” Luna smirked. “You enjoy teaching Twilight. Showing Sundown how to be a princess is just more teaching. Besides it's not as if I will be going anywhere for awhile yet. I was barely sixteen when I ascended. Though it might take me some time to get used to not having magic to do everything again.”Celestia muttered. “I am more concerned you will attempt to fly and forget you are an earth pony.” Luna smiled. “I tried never to fly any way.” Celestia scoffed. At that moment the door burst open and a still dripping Jer'rahd stomped back in trailing water behind him and probably ruining the carpet. Behind him one of the Guards who was normally a sunny yellow coloration was pure white, his eyes wide and panicked as he stared after the dripping Kirin. “So what did I miss?” Jer'rahd asked plopping down and probably ruining the cushion he sat on as well. “Just deciding Celestia's successor. Twilight's old student seems to be the winner.” Luna explained. “Sundown? Isn't she Pip and Scootlaoo's great times whatever grand foal? I might need to check on that.” Jer'rahd considered. “Let it go dear. Most of or line doesn't even know we're related to them any more.” Luna sighed. “Why is Captain Oak Brace here... and why does he...... Kaisur what did you say to him?” Celestia demanded pointing out the pale pony at the door. “Hmm, oh we just chatted a little while while I walked back up here. I decided to give him pointers on how not to get crushed under your cake laden flank if he did decide to try and mount you without a step ladder.” Jer'rahd explained. The Kirin simply smiled as he was grabbed again in Celestia's magic and flung back out the window. There was a violent crash and the sound of crumbling masonry from outside that made Luna and Twilight wince. After a moment a voice shouted back up. “ You missed the lake sun butt...... ow...” “You realize he is only doing this because he knows you enjoy it and won't get to throw him any more once you step down right?” Twilight sighed. “I do.” Celestia admitted.”Though I am certainly going to enjoy being able to set him on fire without risk of killing him.” “You also know he probably gave Captain Oak Brace the same sort of speech he gives to any one who wanted to date one of our daughters.” Luna added. “He needs to mind his own damn business.” Celestia huffed. “ Now then shall we find Sundown and tell her the news. My new grand foal is not getting any more tickled while I sit here.” Ninety five years later Princess Celestia, the Solar Flare left Equss after many years of doting on grand foals and having several of her own with a terrified former Guard.