Luna and Fluttershy were making their way to the castle, still smiling, but obviously exhausted from the day. The sun was setting and they were anxious to get back to the castle.
Luna in particular looked like she was on the edge of unconsciousness, her eyes slowly closing before they shot open agian. It was hard for her to stay awake, even while walking. However, she and Fluttershy both perked up at what was quickly heading in their direction.
Celestia quickly made her way toward Luna, the look of both distress and relief clear on her face, paradoxical as it may have been. With her was Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow and Pinkie. Luna visibly stiffened as they approached. However, she felt a hoof on her back.
She turned and saw Fluttershy giving her a reassuring smile. Luna gave a small smile back. However, her smile disappeared when she look back toward her sister and the others.
They came to a stop, Celestia and Luna mere feet from one another. Celestia open her mouth a few times to speak, but nothing came out. After a long, awkward silence, Celestia finally found her voice.
"I was worried about you." She said with the usual softness to her voice. Luna looked away. Another awkward silence past before Celestia spoke again.
"Luna? I know I said some things..."
"Sister, to be honest I don't really want to talk about this right now."
"But we have to talk about it! You can't just run away from it like you did earlier today!" Celestia nearly shouted.
"Excuse me!? As I recall, you were the one throwing a tantrum about not getting your way... Sound familiar?" The obvious jab by Luna did not go unnoticed by Celestia. Nor did it go unnoticed by the others, who gasped in response.
"Princess Luna! Princess Celestia trying to apologize and make things right! The least you could do is hear her out!" Twilight demanded.
"It sounded more like an accusation than an apology." Fluttershy said flatly with a cocked eyebrow.
"Fluttershy, you..."
"That's enough." Everyone looked up at Celestia when she spoke.
"Fluttershy's right. I came here to make things right, not worse. Luna, you didn't run away from anything. I chased you away... I get that. To say otherwise is dishonest. Please disregard what I just said... And forgive me for saying it. Now about earlier today..."
"I already have a solution for that." Said Luna.
"You do?" Everypony asked in unison.
Luna used her magic to summon her crown. Everyone looked in anticipation as it's simply floated there. All of a sudden, she let go of it and it dropped to the ground. Everyone gasped as it made a dinging noise on the pavement. As every pony looked in shock, Celestia looked up and over at Luna walking to a park bench.
In truth, Luna didn't intend on letting go of the throne... Not really. It wasn't so much a statement as it was a cry for her sister. It was a sign to let Celestia know that she was sad and hurting, and she wanted her sister. Fortunately, Celestia was very good at picking up those hints. And when she did, she felt a combination of compassion, guilt, and love, each of which were overwhelming.
"Go back to the castle, my little ponies. I need to take care of this alone." Celestia said.
"But Celestia..." Twilight interjected.
"I made this mess, I'll be the one to clean it up. Go Twilight. It'll be alright."
"Come on, sugarcube. Let the big ponies talk their big pony talk." Said Applejack, gently nudging Twilight toward the castle. She was hesitant at first but she followed the others back. Twilight looked at Celestia before leaving.
Looking away from the others, Celestia made her way over to the bench all grabbing Luna's crown with her own magic. She carried it with her and sat down, placing the crown in between them. Luna looked at the crown briefly and then looked away again.
"Luna, I was wrong for what I said. And I owe you an apology. But before that, I have to tell you... I know you. I know your heart. And despite everything I said, I know you're not ready to give it up. You love our little ponies too much for that."
Luna looked up at Celestia. She wore a neutral expression, not wanting to betray her emotions just yet. Celestia picked up the crown with her magic and floated it over to Luna's face.
"I know what this really is. And Luna? I hear you. I really do."
Luna's eyes widened. She was speechless.
I guess I should have known she wouldn't ignore me anymore. I know I'm mad at you, sister. I'm not making this easy for you, either. But thank you. Thank you so much. I love you, more than anything.
"Besides, I might deserve punishment for how I acted. But our little ponies don't. But you know that, don't you. That's what makes this such an empty threat." Celestia levitated the crown onto Luna's lap, now smirking.
"What do you mean?" Luna asked, genuinely confused by Celestia's last statement. Celestia frowned.
"Oh come on, Luna. Do you know how much Equestria loves you, depends on you, looks up to you?" Luna let out a scoff. Celestia continued.
"Do you know how much I've come to depend on you?" Celestia asked.
"But you said you couldn't depend on me." Luna replied.
"You know I said that out of anger, right?"
"It's when you're angry that you say the truth." Luna said.
"Oh, you mean that emotion that clouds your judgement and makes you not think straight? Come on, Luna. You know better than that." Celestia said, smirking again.
Luna remained silent. Celestia's smile became even bigger.
"Ah, that's okay. Because I'm going to do more than tell you, I'm going to show you." Celestia got up from the bench. Luna watched her as she turned around and motioned to follow. Luna stood up and followed her down the street.