//------------------------------// // Stage 1 // Story: Immortal, not Invincible // by KenDoStudios //------------------------------// Dear Journal, Today was another typical day in the life of a princess. Luna and I found ourselves engrossed in our daily duties, the familiar routine stretching out before us. As we entered the grand hall, adorned with glistening chandeliers and intricate tapestries, the air carried a sense of solemnity. "Good morning, dear sister," Luna greeted me with a yawn ready to sleep. "Another day of royal affairs awaits you." I nodded, my mind already preoccupied with the endless paperwork that lay ahead. The dullness of it all threatened to dampen my spirits, but duty called, and duty must be fulfilled. Our conversations often revolved around official matters, political alliances, and the welfare of our subjects. While necessary, these topics lacked the enchantment that once filled our days. As we deliberated over the latest trade agreements and agricultural policies, a yawn escaped my lips. Luna shot me a playful smile. "Seems even the royal duties can't escape the clutches of tedium, sister." I chuckled, a rare moment of levity in our otherwise serious discussions. "Indeed, Luna. It's moments like these that make me long for the adventures we used to embark upon together. Remember Skyros?" Luna yawned again. "The dimension where we received our wings? What about it?" A nostalgic memory suddenly swept over me. It was a recollection of the time we first rose the sun and lowered the moon Ponyville. in the midst of my recounting, i was speaking of how there were hardly any celestial beings to meet us and that the power to be an alicorn could be any creature's if they find new magic. Although a sudden lapse in concentration led to an inadvertent slip of the tongue. Instead of saying "celestial beings," I blurted out, "celestial beans." Luna burst into laughter, unable to contain her amusement at my accidental alteration. "Ah, Celestia, even in your storytelling, a touch of error finds its way," Luna teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but I couldn't help but join in the laughter. It was a reminder that even princesses like us were not immune to the occasional slip-up. As the laughter subsided, we returned to our duties. The memory of Skyros lingered, filling the grand hall with a sense of enchantment that had been absent earlier. Doing our hourly meet on the hilltop either applying the sun to rise and moon lowered or applying the sun to lower and moon to rise. We reminisced about our younger years, when the weight of the crown was lighter and the world seemed full of possibilities. The conversation meandered through cherished memories, a welcome respite from the ho-hum of our present responsibilities. But alas, duty calls. we are compelled to return to the relentless cadence of our daily lives. Dear journal, Once again, I find myself recounting a tale of Twilight Sparkle's valiant efforts to protect Ponyville from the relentless schemes of King Sombara. It seems that in Equestria, there is never a dull moment, no matter how much time passes. As I put quill to parchment, I can't help but feel a sense of age creeping upon me. The weight of centuries rests upon my shoulders, and my body bears the wisdom and weariness that accompany such longevity. However, it is Twilight and her friends who continually rejuvenate my spirit, reminding me of the vibrancy and courage that still resides within. During the recent encounter with King Sombara, Luna and I were called upon to lend our support. Luna, was barely awake sensing the time lag caused by hey nightly duties, decided to take a much-needed nap after the battle. It never ceases to amuse me how Luna's energy levels are affected by nocturnal shifts, requiring her to recharge in her own unique way. Meanwhile, Twilight and her loyal friends displayed an unwavering determination to protect Ponyville from the clutches of darkness. Their unity, unwavering loyalty, and sheer resilience are traits that continue to inspire me, reminding me that even in my perceived old age, there is still much to learn and achieve. As the battle raged on, I could feel a familiar sense of anticipation rising within me. The outcome remained uncertain, and I could sense the gravity of the situation. Every victory carries with it the weight of potential loss, and it is in these moments that the true strength of friendship shines brightest. Twilight's strategic brilliance, coupled with the unwavering loyalty of her friends, prevailed once again. King Sombara's plans were thwarted, and Ponyville was saved from his malevolent grasp. It is these triumphs that rekindle the fire within me, reminding me that no matter how old I may feel, my purpose as a princess endures. Dear Journal, In the midst of recounting the recent battle with King Sombara on this page and the triumph of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, a small but insignificant detail slipped my mind. It was a trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning, yet I felt compelled to write it down to ensure I would not forget next time. i forgot to water the delicate roses that adorned the palace garden. Normally, such a small task would have easily been retained in my memory, but the gravity of the events seemed to momentarily cloud my focus. Perhaps it is the weight of age upon my shoulders, the accumulated centuries of knowledge and responsibility that occasionally render even the most mundane details susceptible to slipping through the cracks of my mind. Despite its insignificance, I feel a sense of duty to preserve every aspect of my life within these pages, no matter how minuscule. The roses in the palace garden have witnessed countless seasons and have been a source of solace and inspiration for me over the years. Their delicate petals, kissed by sunlight, have provided respite from the weighty matters of the kingdom. It is a small act, watering them, but one that brings me a sense of tranquility and connection to the natural world that lies beyond the castle walls. So, in the spirit of capturing the entirety of my experiences, no matter how grand or trivial, I jot down this reminder to myself: Water the roses. It may seem inconsequential, a mere blip in the grand tapestry of my life as a princess, but it is a testament to the imperfections and idiosyncrasies that make us pony, even in the realm of royalty. Now, as Luna awakens from her restful slumber as the moon rises, I shall do so. Perhaps Luna will join me tonight.