//------------------------------// // Rhythm Emotion // Story: Mirai Start // by Megatron //------------------------------// After coming to her senses again, Celestia found herself in Canterlot Castle's library. She gave a sigh of relief, knowing that she was finally home. The journey she had just been on was truly insane, being sent back to the Three Tribes period of Equestrian history only to be saved by an ancient Wizard, it was just too much. She couldn't help but reflect on all the hatred and aggression that she saw in that time and notice that it felt all too familiar to her, as the spirit of that greedy king lived on in Nightmare Moon... and herself. The princess quickly stepped out of the library and headed towards the throne room, eager to check up on everything that had passed during her absence. When she entered the room, she saw the last Pony she ever expected standing in the middle of the room, her sister, Luna. “Ah sister, I see you've returned, was it a successful trip?” Luna asked. “Luna!? How is this possible, how did you get here!?” Celestia shouted, a mix of fear and joy overtaking her. Before a very confused Luna could reply, the main door to the throne room swung open as a light purple Unicorn ran into the room at full speed. “Oh thank heavens, I made it just in time,” the Unicorn said, desperately trying to catch her breath. “Twilight, do you have any idea why my sister is acting so strange?” Luna asked. “Yes I do, you may want to sit down, this explanation could take a while,” the purple Pony said. The Unicorn explained that she was named Twilight Sparkle and that she would be a student of Celestia's in the future. It turned out that the spell cast by the Elder Mage had indeed sent her forward in time, but since he poorly understood the magic, Celestia had been sent much further into the future than intended. As a result, the Celestia of this time had left the castle and given Twilight instructions to prepare a more refined ritual that would send Celestia back to the correct time. This ritual would take several hours to complete however and during that time, Celestia was not to leave the throne room, for fear of learning to much about her future. Instructions had also been left for Luna to stay as well, something which confused both of them. As Twilight Sparkle left the room to manage the ritual, Luna looked back at Celestia and asked, “So, you're really from that time, after my... fall?” “Yes, it was only three days ago for me,” Celestia replied. “Only three days, no wonder you looked so shocked to see me,” Luna replied. “If you don't mind me asking, why did you become Nightmare Moon?” Luna sighed before answering, “I hardly know myself these days, but at the time, I just felt so alone, so... neglected. I do all my work at night you know, and there are so very few Ponies awake at that time, and you were never there either...” “Luna, I'm so sorry, I had no idea-” Celestia began before being stopped by Luna. “Please, I've heard your apologies once already and that was good enough, save all that love for your Luna, she's going to need it.” “Okay, but this means that you manage to escape the moon somehow, whe-” Celestia continued before again being stopped by Luna. “I'm afraid I'm going to have to stop you there, exactly how I come back is something that you'll just have to experience for yourself when it's time. For now, just now that I never truly hated you, despite what she may say, Nightmare Moon is still your sister deep down inside.” “I'll never forget that my sister,” Celestia said solemnly before changing the topic. “Well, is there anything going on with you that you can safely tell me?” “Well, there was something strange at a banquet the other night,” Luna said before the two began to talk and laugh together, just like old times. They were so wrapped up in their conversation, that before they knew it, the ritual was ready and it was time for Celestia to return back to her own time. Celestia and Luna entered the library, where a large magical array had been carefully sketched out on the ground. Twilight Sparkle motioned for Celestia to stand on the circle, which she did before the purple Unicorn channeled magic towards it, causing the whole array to light up with the same green light that she had come to associate with time magic. “Goodbye my sister, I can't wait to see you again!” Celestia said, tears forming in her eyes as the light intensified. “Don't worry, it'll feel like no time at all,” Luna replied, holding back tears of her own. As the light reached peek intensity, Celestia was once again overtaken by a bright flash of light and finally taken back to her proper time. When she came to, she found herself back in her room, clearly the same as when she had left. As the morning sun filled her room, she couldn't help but smile, while it wouldn't be easy, she knew that she could handle what ever the future held in store and that she would get to see Luna again someday. Until that time finally arrived, she knew that she would at least be able to sleep well, secure in the knowledge that hope still remained.