Catch Up
Celestia was on her bed, her body freed from her crown and her golden accessories. Alex pressed onto her wings gently, reliving the weariness from her body. Celestia hasn’t received this pleasure ever since she left Earth. While many masseuses have attempted to satisfy her, none had the nimbleness nor the care equal in combination to that of Alex’s hands and methods.
“I know I said I would take care of you now that you’re here in Equestria, but...” she paused before letting out a squeal of pleasure. Alex’s work places Celestia under his magical fingers. “I… had just returned from a diplomatic trip.”
“I understand that being a ruler would be hard, especially if you’re caring such as yourself,” Alex complimented. “This is the least I can do with how you’re helping me.”
As Alex provided Celestia with soothing comfort, they talked about what has happened. A whole year of not seeing each other has stories hidden on their own. Such secrets shouldn’t be kept from these two, especially what happened back then when they withheld the truth. “What happened after you came back to Equestria?”
“Well, once I reunited with my sister, I told her all about you,” Celestia explained. “She didn’t seem to recall you. Instead, she said you sounded familiar.”
“I had the same response when I talked to her earlier today,” Alex sighed. “It seems that Nightmare’s memories still linger, but… I don’t know if that’s good for her health.”
“I worry about that as well,” Celestia spoke out of concern. “She hasn’t shown any signs of anxiety or shame. However, she may conceal it very well if she so desires.”
“I think she’s quite strong,” Alex thought. “Meeting her again, I realize that wasn’t the strength of Nightmare Moon I had met long ago. That was the strength of Luna. Her eyes still have that spirit in her.”
“My, you seem to know my sister better than I do with the way you describe her.”
Alex chuckles some as he finishes up the massage. He finishes up with a neck rub, having the princess rise her head to let him reach all of the stiff areas.
“My student also visited me shortly after.”
“Twilight Sparkle, right?”
“Yes, she came and asked me so many things. ‘What happened, where was I, am I well?’ I’m so blessed to have some pony like her to be my student.”
“She’s quite hard working.” Alex stated. “Getting to know her, why, she was taught well. And her friends are quite something.”
“Where have your travels with Twilight taken you?”
“Plenty of places. Cloudsdale, a jungle-”
“Excuse me?” Celestia spoke, interrupting the neck massage. She looked at Alex, bewildered on why he would go to such places.
“I was visiting some friends of mine.”
“A jungle, of all places?”
“Speaking of which,” Alex spoke, remembering the important information he uncovered. “My old friend there found something important. It relates to why ponies have been sent to my world and back.”
“What?!” Celestia rose, accidentally pushing Alex off of the bed and rolling onto the floor. “Oops! Sorry!”
“It’s fine,” He grunted as he got back up.
“But, this is big news! What have you found?”
Alex told Celestia everything. The temple, the coffin, and the story book that was left behind. The princess pondered in thought at the tale she was told, but couldn’t offer any more input in her vast years of wisdom.
“I don’t know anything about such a place. In my thousand years in ruling, or even in my life, I have never heard of this place.”
“I think we would need more time to learn more about it and what we need to do to fix it.”
“Agreed,” Celestia nodded. She thought about how this may finally stop the random transportation after these past few years. Every time a pony would go missing, she would hope that Alex was taking care of them during the time they couldn’t be found.
Not wanting to end the night on troubling thoughts that would be tomorrow’s business, Celestia decides to peer into Alex’s side of things.
“How about you?” Celestia asks. “How have you been the past year?”
“Well, I’ve been taking care of ponies as per usual,” Alex said. “Aurabelle has been visiting me more as well.”
“Have you two made amends?”
“Of course,” Alex nodded. “She has been having trouble with her magic however. So she practices with me whenever she can.”
“What happened to her powers?” Celestia inquired. “She was able to wield it so well before.”
“I believe that the corruption she once had before was guiding her to use her abilities with her intentions. Ever since then, she has been a bit more emotional, but happier. She even helped me take care of some of the ponies.”
“That’s lovely to hear,” Celestia smiles. “If she ever comes to visit, there’s always a place for her here to learn magic.”
“I’ll be sure to let her know the offer when I see her.”
Celestia pauses and thinks about that for a moment. Alex still has a home and friends back where he is. His people and memories are back with Earth. It’d be cruel to not even offer him a way back home. Despite that, something held the princess back. She wanted him to stay here in Equestria by her side. She wanted to let this dream continue, to let her be a little selfish at least once.
As Celestia ponders in her thoughts, Alex’s hand scratches her ear. His smile beams at her, sending her into another thought. Perhaps this is what he wants. He wants to be with her as well.
The two embrace each other in their sleep, excited to see where the new dawn leads them.