The night in the City of Canterlot was dark, a sudden fog front had moved in just after midnight leaving the city cloaked in a spooky white vail. If one were out in the fog they would be unable to see more than a few feet in front of their faces. While the only sources of light to be had to pierce the fog were the city lights, which did little more than make the already off-putting weather even more so.
Limping through the fog was a lone figure wearing torn-up old clothes with a hood pulled over her head. Wallflower blush limped with purpose down the street her eyes scanning the fog like radar searching for something, anything yet to be seen. While at the same time keeping careful watch for anyone who may recognize her.
Wallflower was exhausted having not slept well or even at all since the explosion in the parking lot and it was starting to show.
Her feet staggered with each step as though she was drunk. Her vision was marked by white spots as well as blur visions. Her ears constantly deceived her with strange voices that she both recognized as well as foreign to her. While her mind was a collider of different thoughts and emotions that smashed into one another. The whole experience leaving feel both weak as well as angry, very, very angry.
She had never been so angry before in her life and the whole thing left her emotionally as well as physically drained.
Her body as well as her mind just wanted to sleep for what little good it would do. Her short naps did little more than staving off a hard crash. For every time she closed her eyes all she saw was a raging fire of images that quickly woke her from slumber.
It was a vicious cycle of constantly being so tired all she wanted was rest, but unable to sleep for if she did she would be awoken by nightmares. A cycle that only further fed her anger as she stumbled down the various streets and allies of Canter lot towards her destination.
“Almost there, all most their, just a little father, I can keep going” she muttered in an exhausted slur
In truth she wasn’t exactly sure where she was going, she just knew she had to get there and soon. Because she wanted a safe place to sleep for the night, a place to think, to eat, to plan her next move.
Then a sudden stabbing feeling raced through her head making her fall to her knees in pain. She raised a hand to her head while biting her tongue to keep herself from screaming out as the electrical currents of pain raced in her head.
All around her a kaleidoscope of colors, images, and sounds played in her head.
Some images like the school or her teachers she recognized. Or the sounds of cars alongside the voices of some people she knew from around the city. But there wear many she didn’t, strange places that didn’t make sense. Things that were impossible, should be impossible yet she somehow knew they were possible.
With each passing moment, she felt as though she would slip further and further into madness as she fell further down the rabbit hole.
Ever since Sunset called her out nothing had made sense. Nothing felt right. All the headaches, police, her visions, the lack of sleep, her arm, all of it. And it made her angry.
“I’ll make you pay for what you did to me, Sunset shimmer, Mark my words” she cried out venomously into the night as she vanished into the fog towards her goal for the night.
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Elsewhere upon the tallest spires of the royal palace, alone princess garbed only in her white fur and flowing mane sat silently watching the night in quiet contemplation free of all the jewels or gold dressings she normally wore.
For right now she was alone and just a pony like everyone else as she stood dressed in only her fur and mane.
Her regal gaze looked over her and her sister's home in equal parts wonder, as well as dismay. For the royal queen despite having power unrivaled within the borders in her lands, and to an extent beyond, she felt very powerless. For all alone on her spire unable to sleep, she wanted so desperately to know what was wrong with her dear Sunset.
“How I wish I wear like my little pony’s some day’s.” she said wistfully looking at the various homes and buildings of Canterlot, or even the small hamlet of Pony vile. “So young and full of life while looking to me for support and guidance.”
“Yet while they look to me for support, who do I have to look to for support. For even Starswil looks to me my teacher no longer filling the role I once did,” she said bemoaning her fate.
While she would never trade her station not only for the immense joy she got seeing her ponies prosper. But also she wouldn’t ever have anyone else cursed with her lonely immortality as she as well as her sister were. No one else should have to carry such a burden as a thousand years of loneliness of unaging beauty while those you cherished faded around you.
“What do I do? She asked the stary sky as though it held the answers.
“What can I do?”
“I am the ruler of an entire nation I have the power to move the sun for the cosmos' sake. And I can’t even visit my own former protege for a few without risking an international incident!” she exclaimed painfully.
With a heavy sigh, she flopped down upon the ground culling up around herself knowing she was alone and non would see her. She was alone on this balcony and she would stay that way for a little longer for awake as she was, not even Luna would find her easily.
“It just isn’t fair,” she complained winningly.
It was unfair, she was being unfair. The situation was more complicated than that, it always was. Between the petty disputes of the upper classes, the open courts with the ponies. As well as the other matters she had to deal with day to day even leaving through the portal for a meager stroll could cause major problems with her schedule. Problems that if not handled well could have far-reaching consequences like knocking over a domino.
Yet even then, even then despite everything she couldn’t help but want to be selfish just this once for one of the few pony’s she cared for most.
“Out on your own sulking tia?”
The sudden intrusion startled Celestia to her hooves with a frightened gasp having not heard anyone coming. Quickly turning around in place her horn lighting out of habit to defend herself. Only for the glow to wither and die when she saw who it was before her.
“Luna.”
Her sister stood before her in all her lunar beauty befitting her name. With her many royal embellishments, alongside the well-composed Vistage she had crafted since being freed she was the picture of royalty.
“Sister you should be in bed,” she said stepping forward her hooves clopping against the ground with each step. “You have a big day tomorrow with the ambassadors from saddle Arabia. As well as dealing with that matter with the dragons. And stopping that land dispute between the noble ponies. You will need all the rest you can get.” her sister reminded her sensibly while beginning to circle.
“Not to mention keeping Twilight contained long enough to rest is proving to be a hassle even for me,” she added a moment later as she walked up to her side.
Celestia felt Luna’s strong muzzle nuzzling into her neck, her ethereal mane blocking out her vision as she did so. The gesture was a comforting one, one she had dearly missed when Luna was banished. It was one of her favorite things about her sister before she grew cold. Sitting with her sister contemplating their lives, their sadness at living so long, and their dreams to live normal lives.
But today it was of no comfort.
Her first student in years was dealing with a threat like none she had ever found before. She had dealt with ponies with amnesia or mind alerting spells before on numerous occasions. It was just one of the many things that she had to deal with as ruler of Equestria. As well as another brand of magic that was band expect under the most extreme of circumstances.
Yet this was beyond anything she had faced before.
A stone that could literally rip parts or possibly even years of life away from someone's mind with such ease. It was nothing like she had ever heard of before, much less thought was possible. Not without magic on her level, and even then she wasn’t sure even someone like herself could pull it off. Perhaps discord could manage it but she didn’t think she could.
And even if she could, what then she had asked herself. The power to remove painful memories was used in extreme cases now and then when absolutely necessary. But to then store those memories was another matter entirely, a feat that she doubted even Starswirl would know how to do.
So to let Sunset face such a threat, and face it alone while she simply sit around and deal with court matters left her feeling anxious.
What made it worse was the fact that it would be who knows how long before she could plan a trip. Nor could she tell any to check on her till Twilight's friends responded. The mirror was still a closely guarded secret, one which she had no intention of giving any time soon. The risk to the safety of the humans was too high if rumors of a gate to another would begin to flourish.
Already too many artifacts or criminals from Equestria had gone through and brought so much pain to so many. Barring the elements or their close friend Starlight she could not risk any more knowledge of it leaking out. Both for the safety of her people as well as the earth.
Thus leaving Celestia with her problem, she can not send anyone outside the elements or Starlight. Who she had yet to hear back from having sent a letter not long ago. Nor could she go herself. Leaving her with one horribly agonizing duty… waiting.
Once more sitting around and waiting while she was left to think about her greatest mistake.
Eventually, her sister pulled back, but she closed her eyes before Luna’s met hers, she didn’t wish to see her sister's face. She knew if she looked at her sister now with how she felt, she would begin to cry, and she didn't wish to cry tonight. For if she did she knew it would never stop.
“Sister, what troubles you so?” Luna asked her voice dripping with concern.
Yet no answer came, Celestia would neither speak nor even look at her sister. Instead, all she did was curl up in on herself as a tremble shook her body.
Her behavior greatly worried Luna who began to shake her sister with her wing encouraging Celestia to speak with her. But all this did was make her curl into herself more as several heavy breaths left her muzzle as she try to block her sister out. The actions making Luna worry more as she try to get through to Celestia.
Yet nothing seemed to work as Luna’s words would reach her.
Her mind was filled with worry, already it had been well over a day since sunset left to save her friend's memories. Nearly three days since she and her student finally reconciled their differences. And many agonizing hours since she last heard her first student's voice making her anxious. She had already failed her student once letting Sunset turn into what she became till Twilight came along. All because she gave the girl too much freedom and not enough parental guidance.
It was at times like this that she thought back to all the other ponies she had failed over a millennium she had been ruling.
So many lives or ruined lost due to one poor decision. So many crimes she let slide only to preserve peace for all while sacrificing few. So much political playing and subterfuge she had to allow for the greater good. So many good ponies that lost everything simply so that others might not suffer the same fate.
Many called her infallible, a goddess even. But the truth was she had made more unforgivable mistakes and decisions than anypony in history. The only difference was none of her individual actions were so unforgivable to warrant her imprisonment alone. And that she had the curse of living long enough that most of her past miss deeds had been lost from living memory. And those that did were either blinded by her presence like Twilight, turned to evil like Sunset had, or believed anything for the greater good is all that matters like Starswirl once believed.
Yet now she was filled with regret like she hadn’t felt in many moons. A regret that would once more lead her mind to a dark place as she thought of all the ways she had failed her ponies.
“I should have done more, I should have known she needed more.” Celestia moaned pitifully her heart feeling ever so heavy.
“Oh sister this is all my doing, not only did I push Sunset away, I endangered so many humans for countless years unknowingly. For what? to shrug off our responsibility and take the easy way out to get rid of our problems?” she exclaimed in pained grief.
Before Luna could say anything to counter her grief-stricken sister Celestia got to her hooves as quickly as she could, too quickly. Only to immediately stumble forwards forcing her to use her wings to keep herself upright.
This frightened Luna who rushed to her sister's side to help. But Celestia would not hear of it as she simply walked away from her sister towards the railing. Throwing her front hooves and head over the railing as two rivers of tears fell down her face. All the while miserable sobs left her muzzle.
“Equestria banished, I banished who knows how many criminals to the lands of the humans through one means or another. Banishing countless magical artifacts that could have caused the humans untold levels of devastation over the centuries. All simply on faith that they could do no harm wear they were sent merely taking others at their words. Never once bothered to check to make sure that where they wear sent was safe, both for them and for those that may live there.
“We without knowing it we used Earth as a dumping ground for our worst criminals and most dangerous artifacts. How many more people have been hurt because of our negligence?”
“Even before we both took the throne before we were even born for that matter earth has been used to dispose of that which ponies did not wish to deal with out of convenience. If the documents I have found are true even princess platinum banished more than a few to earth simply as a way to rid herself of them.”
Celestia paused for a moment as she turned her head slightly her left eye finally opening to look upon Luna. At the same time, Luna took a step back in shock as she saw her sister as she saw Celestia’s tear-filled bloodshot eyes.
“I am disgusted by our ancestors. Hundreds of humans suffering who knows what ill fates because of our forestalions who left who knows what on their planet. Who knows how many possibly innocent ponies were banished, never to see their families again at the whims of the various rich or nobility.” she explained waving a wing towards her room as if motioning to the documents of which she spoke.
“How can I-” Before she could finish however a blue aura engulfed Luna’s horn before striking her distressed sister with it.
The effects were near instantaneous as Celestia’s eyes quickly rolled up into her head, her body going weak head sliding off the balcony before slowly collapsing to the ground.
Yet before she could strike the ground a blue aura engulfed Celestia’s form in a warm glow. Then as though defying gravity Celestia began to float raising upwards till her hooves just floated off the ground.
Luna stepped forwards with a sad expression on her face. her heart weeping for her sister as she looked upon the sun princess who now floated in her magical grasp. Her sister was normally the stronger of the two of them. Now laid low by grief over crimes committed against earth long before their birth.
“I am sorry my sister but you need to stop blaming yourself. This is not your fault, you didn’t know,” she said to her now sleeping sister apologetically.
Luna understood her sister's grief, after all finding out that you were responsible for banishing some of the worst criminals and dark relics to a world full of innocent beings. All because they never investigated something that had been done for centuries till Celestia outlawed the practice sometime after banishing her to the moon out of guilt.
Celestia dreaming the practice unethical as it gave the convicted no chance to redeem themselves. While at the same time also deciding simply casting dark artifacts to a realm unknown was too dangerous if someone found their way back to Equestria.
A decision that all who knew of Earth would agree was most wise as Sunset demonstrated when she stole Twilight's crown.
Had the sirens or any other malevolent power crossed over with the various artifacts that had been dumped on earth over the years… The thought made Luna’s body tremble with fear at the thought.
But she brushed such thoughts aside for now. What was done was done and no amount of wanting would change the mistakes of the past. Instead, Luna would focus on the present, focus on her sister who now slept in her grip. ‘Despite what you believe of yourself you are not to blame for these events. you will have only good dreams this night. I will make sure of it.”
Celestia would not hear her she knew, but it didn’t matter to Luna as she started to weave a pleasant dream for her sister as she carried the sleeping alicorn inside.
Luna’s hooves clopped lightly upon the stone floor as she made her way across the lavish bedroom closing the door to the balcony behind her. The light from the moon illuminating the room in a pale light, guiding her way as she went. All the while her mind was abuzz as she tried to make the perfect dream for her sister that would help her rest.
Ordinarily, she would only banish nightmares contrary to popular belief. As Luna believed that giving to making too many good dreams would cause more harm than good leading to others becoming overly reliant on her for rest.
But this was a special case. Her sister needed her rest and just this once she would make sure she had the best sleep possible.
By the time the dream was finished, she had already tucked Celestia into bed. The blanket pulled up just below her chin while her head rested upon a pillow, her soft breaths barely noticeable save for the slight rise and fall of her barrel.
Though more than that there was a content smile upon Celestia’s face. A smile Luna returned.
“Sleep well, my sister,” she whispered softly into Celestia’s ear before kissing her forehead, just as their mother had done in the past.
She watched her sister for a time in contentment a warm feeling in her barrel. Pleased that she was able to do something to help her sister after all she had done.
While it was true her sister never blamed her for turning into Nightmare Moon, she still blamed herself. Forgiven by all the ponies of Equestria or not the guilt she still harbored was not so easily erased. Yet taking care of her sister was a start.
“For a thousand years you watched over me from afar after practically raising me yourself. Even as you toiled and suffered under sole rule of our ponies, to guide and watch over them. Now I think it’s time someone watches over you”
It was here thought struck in her mind as she remembered all the times before she and Celestia ascended when her sister cared for her when she was unwell with a mischievous grin. “It’s almost a shame you aren’t awake for me to embarrass you. Just like you did to me as a filly,” she remarked with a chuckle.
She laughed for a time amused by her joke however, duty called to her.
Already she could feel nightmares afflicting ponies in their sleep for she had been away far too long. So with a grumbled sigh, she shuffled away from Celestia’s bed as quietly as she could not wishing to chance to wake her as she made her way towards the door.
Though just as she was about to leave Luna stopped in her tracks. Turning her head over her shoulder to gaze upon where her sister lay tucked in asleep.
For a brief moment, she just stared, but then a sighed saddle while a sad frown formed on her lips. “Say what you will about yourself sister. But you did not fail Sunset.” she declared defiantly.
“You cared for Sunset as if she wear your own. You wept for her when she left as though your heart was torn out. Even now you suffer because you believe she is in danger. You have only ever tried to help her as any mother should. Your only mistake was not seeking help from someone more experienced in raising a filly. You did well raising her despite your shortcomings and pride, she has grown into a fine mare.”
The door was then cast in a blue aura causing the door nob to turn seemingly on its own as it was taken by her magic. In a flash, the door was quickly opened, with luna only stopping occasionally when the door squeaked.
Once it was open Luna began to stop through into the dimly lit halls. Only before Luna left the room she stopped midstep her head turning to look back. Her eyes quickly falling to where her sister slept in the shadows of the room.
Her face morphed into a frown as an uncomfortable feeling grew in her stomach. It was as if she had been spun around too much and was on the verge of falling ill as a tired sigh left her lips.
“You tried your best sister, but sometimes our best efforts are not enough as I know all too well. But that doesn't mean you are to blame. I just wish you could see it.,”
With these parting words, Luna left to attend to the night court and the dreams of her ponies with grim resolve. All while wondering to herself how this mess would end, or if it ever would knowing all too well what dark magic was capable of.