//------------------------------// // The Beginning And The End // Story: A Celestial Bond // by Sonic_Applejack2005 //------------------------------// The Beginning And The End Princess Celestia stumbled through the doorway of the castle, using her magic to shut it gently behind her. She tried to trot straight through the dining hall, but she couldn't help but smile and make small talk with the guests and workers on her way. However, by the time she retired to her royal chamber, she was truly exhausted. She was used to busy days filled with public appearances and royal meetings, but for reasons she couldn't explain, this day felt especially tiring. Celestia flopped onto her bed and closed her eyes. The sound of gentle knocking on her door woke Celestia up. "Yes? Who is it?" she called, doing her best to hide the sleepiness in her voice. "Tia, may we talk?" Celestia's eyes widened in surprise. Luna was supposed to be preparing the castle and getting ready to roam the dream realm. Is something wrong? "Of course, Luna. Please come in." Her suspicions were confirmed as the Princess of the Night wandered in with her head down and her eyes on the floor, hiding thoughts and emotions Celestia was unable to read. She greeted her little sister with a hug and guided her over to her bed. Celestia sat down and motioned for Luna to sit beside her. Luna looked at her briefly before doing so, and in that moment Celestia sensed the hesitation in her motions, as though she were suddenly afraid of her own sister. The sun princess moved closer, sheltering Luna under her large wing comfortingly, who seemed to relax in response. "Luna, are you all right?" she asked. Knives stabbed at Celestia's heart as she noticed her sister's gaze filled with distress. "O-of course, Tia. We simply thought that after such a wearying day, thou might enjoy the companionship of thy sister," responded Luna, sinking deeper into the comfort of her own wings. "Luna, please don't lie to me," begged Celestia. "I remember the loneliness of the millennium we spent apart as clear as day, and I never want either of us to feel that way again." "Please sister, you must understand!" exclaimed Luna. "We simply canno--" Celestia lifted Luna's chin with her hoof, bringing them eye-to-eye. "Luna, you can trust me. I will never judge you." It seemed as if the Princess of the Night wanted to argue once more, but the certainty in her sister's gaze made her relent. "Do you promise?" she whispered, looking away one last time. "Of course, Luna." Celestia did not make promises lightly. Whatever Luna was to tell her, she was ready. Luna finally raised her head, uncertainty clear in her gaze. "Sister, we--" she shook her head, "nay, I have loved you for the longest time," she said quietly. Celestia brought her sister even closer to her. "Of course, Luna," she said. "You are my dear sister, and we share a bond far beyond what any other pony can ever imagine." Despite her gentle words, Celestia let out a sigh of relief. She had imagined something far worse, but it had just been Luna worrying herself over something from her past. Or so she thought, until Luna pushed away her wing and leaped to her hooves immediately. "Luna...?" "We knewest thou could not understand!" exclaimed Luna, stomping her hooves as she made for the door. Celestia teleported behind her sister, putting a hoof on her shoulder. She couldn't let things end like this. It was how they had been separated before, and she couldn't bear for it to happen again. "Luna, I don't understand, so help me understand!" Luna's eyes flashed as she ripped herself from her sister's grasp and turned around defiantly. She took a deep breath, then spoke in a quiet voice. "Tia, I love you more than a sister. I wish to court you, to marry you as every pony watches, to spend every night under the moonlight by your side, and to wake up every morning with you beside me! That is the love I have for you." Her eyes were filled with the guilt of loving her own sister, but also with a lifetime of longing and desire for a companion. Not any companion, however; only one pony would ever fit that requirement. Celestia's eyes grew wide with shock, and she drew away from her sister, still comprehending her words. This is... To her surprise, Luna did not leave. She just stared calmly at her sister, feeling strangely free now that the truth was out. Finally, Celestia spoke. "Luna... I understand." "Y-You do?" Luna asked hesitantly, clearly taken aback by her sister's mild response. "Yes, I do," said Celestia, her voice clearly strained, "... but Luna, this is the one single thing I cannot approve of, not by judgement as your sister, but as a ruler of Equestria." Both alicorns felt the tension in the air. They had spoken their minds, and in the end their ideals simply did not align. Luna made a small sound in surprise, but she nodded and turned her back. "yes Tia," she murmured. Her voice cracked and she held back tears of sorrow, but she felt no regret for confessing her true feelings. She couldn't have lived the rest of her life trying to suppress her own feelings. They would have come out someday anyway. "I shall find another location to call home," she said. "Luna, I am sorry." The Princess of the Night turned back. "For what, dear sister?" "... With this knowledge, you are no longer fit to rule by my side. I shall take control as the sole ruler of Equestria." Celestia stepped forward, her horn glowing as bright as the sun. Her magic enveloped Luna for a moment, blinding even herself as the magic worked itself on her sister. There was a flash, and then nothing. "Celestia?" Luna stumbled uncertainly. She looked around the room, then at herself, and gasped in horror as she realized what Celestia had done. "You can't..." Her cutie mark had disappeared without a trace, as though it had never existed in the first place. "Yes, Luna. I have stripped you of your celestial powers since I cannot let you remain here," said Celestia, her voice suddenly cold as ice. her horn lit up once again, her eyes focused on Luna. "Don't worry, sister. This is a place you are familiar with. After all, you've spent a thousand years there already." Luna shielded herself desperately with her own magic and cried for help from anyone, anything, but her cries fell on deaf ears as Celestia's magic overwhelmed her. She could feel it coming. A return to the place of total isolation she'd been sent to many moons ago. And then, she was gone. Celestia slumped over from sheer exhaustion. It felt like the second longest day of her life. Before she sank into unconsciousness, a single thought crossed her mind. Do I want pineapple or banana on my pancakes tomorrow...