Later That Evening…
The time was drawing near for the shift change.
Princess Luna gracefully strode through the limestone and marble corridors of Canterlot Castle, sipping thoughtfully on a cup of coffee as she analyzed a clipboard floating in front of her face, reviewing her list of tasks for the night. Her pet opossum, Tiberius, rode along happily on her back, straightening up her adornments and ensuring that her mane was straightened and in order.
As per usual, Luna had woken up about a half-hour earlier, about a full hour before Celestia put the sun down. Now, she was on her way to the daily debrief with her older sister, to ensure that any tasks that went unfinished during the day were passed off properly for completion during the night.
She trotted along the gilded halls, passing groups of royal employees eager to end their shift and head home for the day. She also passed a number of guards, who in contrast, seemed content to remain where they stood. After all, they almost never left the confines of the castle during their duty cycle.
Eventually, she reached her sister's study. A large, white wooden door with her sister's cutie mark indicated that she had reached her office. Two guards flanked the door, and went to attention as the princess of the night approached.
"Good evening, your highness." Both guards said in perfect unison.
Luna nodded in return. "Javelin. Silver Sword. Is my sister in?"
"Yes ma'am." Both replied, stepping aside, allowing her to walk up to the door and knock.
"Yes?" Celestia's voice called, sounding regal as always.
Luna opened the door, walking in without hesitation. The room was moderately sized, but very richly adorned with golden trim and prismatic crystals, matching her sister's visual aesthetic perfectly. To one side, a fire crackled and popped in a fireplace, and to the other side, bookshelves containing various binders and documents covered the walls. At the center of the room, a large mahogany desk stood, and atop it sat various papers, along with a steaming tea kettle with several cups.
Behind the desk was a plush, swiveling chair, and in it was Princess Celestia, facing away from the door and towards a large window overlooking the city of Canterlot. Outside, the sky was bathed in orange hues, and the sun was getting rather close to the very distant horizon. Celestia's mane and tail were gently billowing and waving as always, shimmering and glinting in the evening light that was coming through the window.
Luna shut the door behind her and walked up to the desk, awaiting her sister's greeting.
But it didn't come.
This was odd. Usually Celestia gave Luna a cheery greeting whenever they met. Today, she was silent, facing away from Luna and the door.
Somepony was going to have to take the initiative, and Luna decided to do so.
"... Good evening, my sister."
Celestia immediately looked around the back of her chair, and gave a slight gasp.
"Oh! Luna! Good evening to you, dear sister!"
She whirled her chair around, taking a letter that she was levitating before her face around with her.
"My apologies, I was preoccupied." She said with an apologetic expression, setting the letter down on the desk.
"It is quite alright, Tia." Luna assured her, passing the clipboard back to Tiberius, who proceeded to jump onto the floor. "Do you have anything for me before we switch?"
Celestia stared blankly at Luna for a moment, causing her to wonder if her older sister had even heard what she had just said.
"Tia?"
Celestia blinked, shaking her head sharply as if she were making an attempt to clear her mind.
"Uhhhh… No, nothing I believe."
"Good." Luna replied, "That makes tonight easy, then."
Celestia nodded somewhat absentmindedly, her attention turned back to the letter lying on the desk.
This was not normal. Celestia was usually very focused and concise when it came time for her to hand over responsibilities for the night. But now she seemed unfocused and unaware.
"Are you alright, sister?" Luna asked, sounding concerned. "Did you have a hard day?"
"No." Celestia replied, looking back at her. "Why do you ask?"
Luna's eyes narrowed a bit, seeming a bit skeptical.
"You seem unusually aloof, and are not acting like yourself. Are you certain all is well?"
Celestia sighed, leaning back in her chair and swiveling to the side.
"I'm not sure."
"Sure of what? Pray tell, what is wrong, sister?"
Celestia paused, turning back towards Luna.
"I received a letter from Twilight today regarding Apple Bloom."
Luna felt a bit of dread pierce her heart.
"Apple Bloom? I thought she was safely back in Ponyville." She said worriedly. "Nothing bad has happened to her, I trust?"
Celestia nodded. "She's fine, don't you worry."
Luna exhaled quietly in relief.
"Then, what has troubled you?"
Celestia's brow lowered slightly, as if she were irritated. She looked back at the letter, then answered.
"Twilight omitted an important piece of information in her initial letter regarding Apple Bloom's return, and has waited until she sent me this one to tell me." She explained, gesturing to the letter lying on the desk before the sisters.
One of Luna's brows fell in an expression of confusion.
"Well? What is it?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.
Celestia looked up at Luna, her expression beginning to look worried.
"It was the identity of the pony who brought her back." She said somberly. "It was the Warden."
Luna froze in place for a few seconds. She couldn't believe it.
"Wha- I- Sister, are you certain that you are not pulling my leg?" She asked, her eyes wide and her breaths growing a bit sharper.
Celestia shook her head.
"I would never joke about a matter such as this." She assured her. "And yes, I checked back in with Twilight, and she confirmed it. It was him who brought Apple Bloom back home."
"T-the odds of it all…" Luna stammered, shaking her head and pacing around. "What are the odds that h-he of all ponies, would find her and rescue her?"
"I couldn't believe it at first either, trust me." Celestia remarked.
Luna took a deep breath and stopped next to the fire, gazing into the flames while she became lost in her thoughts. A few moments passed, and she spoke.
"So he's finally come out of hiding?" She asked.
"I am not completely certain of that." Celestia answered, shaking her head. "If he wanted his presence to be known, Twilight would have simply told me as soon as she found out. But she waited until after he was long gone before she told me."
She let out an exasperated sigh, putting a hoof up to her face and rubbing her eyes.
"Why didn't she tell me to begin with?"
Luna looked back at her older sister, taking a moment to think.
"Pray, don't take offense, Tia; but perhaps she didn't quite know how you would have reacted?"
Celestia shook her head and threw her forelegs up.
"I don't know. All I know is that she didn't trust me with that information at first."
"Well, was that mistrust unfounded?" Luna asked bluntly.
Celestia lowered her legs and exhaled again.
"After what happened two years ago, I guess not." She moaned. "Twilight did catch me lying, after all. It would seem as if she trusts me in all things except for matters regarding the Warden."
Luna nodded. That would certainly explain why her sister was troubled. It was not often that she and her former student were at odds, but when they were, it often shook Celestia to her core.
After a few thoughtful moments, Luna's thoughts shifted, focusing more on the Warden.
"Celestia," She murmured, "do you think that… That he might be more open to the idea of forgiveness now?"
The elder sister looked at Luna with an apprehensive expression in her eyes.
"Luna," She said, sounding dead serious; "just because he rescued a filly in danger does not mean that he has had a complete change of heart."
"But it has been several years!" Luna implored. "Surely if he is rational enough to do noble things once again, then he will at least listen to what I have to say!"
"That is irrelevant if he still harbors bitterness in his heart, sister!" Celestia explained.
Luna's ears drooped, and her expression fell, displaying sadness.
"Sister…" She said quietly, "I've been living with guilt for all this time. I don't know if I will ever be truly rid of it, but if there is a chance that some of it can be dealt with, then- then I must try!"
Celestia didn't respond. She merely looked at her sister with an expression which told Luna that she was at a loss for what to say.
The two sisters remained silent for some time, thinking and listening to the crackling of the fire.
Soon, Celestia closed her eyes and slumped back into her chair, exhaling slowly as she did so.
"Luna, I advise against trying until we know more." She sighed, opening her purple eyes and looking at her sister. "His bitterness may still be too great. Not only is he not likely to forgive you, but he may also leave your guilt worse than before!"
Luna shook her head.
"Tia, I have to try."
Celestia's expression fell, realizing that Luna was not going to be swayed.
"I'm not going to stop you from trying, I know better." The sun princess said in a concerned tone. "But please understand that it may not work as well as you seem to think."
"I know, and I am grateful that you are doing your best to look out for me now." Luna admitted. "But I'll wait only a little while longer. Regardless of how he may be, I have to do something."
Celestia glanced away for a moment, turning around to face the window once again. Luna strode up next to her sister, looking out as well. The sun was nearing the horizon, painting the sky a beautiful spectrum of blue, orange, and pink.
"We can discuss this more later if you desire." Celestia said gently, standing up and facing her younger sister. "But for now, we need to bring the day to an end."
"Of course." Luna sighed, turning around in preparation to leave.
However, she felt a strong wing wrap around her, stopping her in her tracks. Celestia had caught her in a tender embrace. Luna initially froze in place, uncertain of what to do. But after a few moments, she gave in and leaned up against her sister.
For a few seconds, Luna's tumultuous mind was soothed, calmed by the presence of her elder sister.
"I hope you find peace, one way or another, Luna." Celestia whispered. "I hope that above all things, he finds it in his heart to do the right thing."
Luna took a trembling breath, nodding quietly.
Soon, Celestia brought her wing back to her side, and Luna moved away.
"Come, let us start the night." Celestia encouraged quietly, motioning towards the door.
"Yes." Luna replied. "Let us do so."
The two sisters then strode out of the room, side by side.