A flash of purple light and the sickening smell of burn hair deposited the fillies in the castle courtyard. Twilight choked, horn burned and smoking as with a wretched cry she threw up blood onto the blacken grass.
“Twilight!?” Spike whimpered softly curling into himself with a weak sob. The infant’s body was badly singed from the sloppy teleport, soft scales red and blistered. Twilight’s heart lunged at the sight, but she shook her head, her vision fading slightly before she forced it to focus. They didn’t have much time.
“Get..get up!”
She coughed up more blood, stumbling forward to nose the other fillies’ downed bodies. The others were rousing slowly their bodies also burned and smoking adding on to the already long list of injuries. Applejack and Fluttershy were completely still.
“We have to go she’ll be here soon.”
Twilight pleaded, her pulse roaring in her ears. She tried to push, to call for strength from a body long past it limit and came up with nothing but more pain and blood.
“Guys get up!”
There was swirl of darkness and a thunderous crack as Nightmare Moon materialized behind her. Smiling wickedly, she seized the little unicorn in her magic.
“I think you will come with me.” She said before teleporting away leaving the others to their fate. They appeared again in the castle throne room Nightmare tossing Twilight to the ground with bruising force. Ignoring the filly’s pained cry, the black mare strutted with casual grace up the ramp to the dark midnight throne. Sitting delicately, she looked down at the beaten filly before her, serpent eyes glowing eerily.
“It seems you keep surprising me.” She hummed, ears flicking mildly. “Such a long-distance teleport when you were already so drained of magic.” Her fangs flashed in a crescent smile. “But then what else would you expect from Celestia’s little student.”
Twilight couldn’t help her look of surprise and Nightmare laughed. “Oh yes I know more about Equestria then dear sister believes and more still about what she’s been plotting. But truly to send her mistake to face me.” Her laugh was low and mocking. “I expected better from her and truly wonder how much you disgust her to send a filly to face an alicorn.”
Twilight flinched, the sharp words cutting deep into her most hidden fears and sending wounds that only pretended to heal into gushing agony. She knew she was a mistake; knew how Celestia felt about the student who caused more trouble than she was worth, Nightmare didn’t have to rub it in her face.
The dark mare smiled in sadist glee, her eyes dancing as she watched her words cut deep. Standing up she stalked toward her, every heavy hoof fall echoing in the empty chamber.
“Does it hurt?” she cooed circling like a shark. “To know that the mare you love so much sees you as nothing. An unwanted burden thrusted upon her by duty and responsible, the black smudge upon her pristine life.” Every word was a hammered blow to an already damaged psyche, cutting deep with deathly accuracy and Nightmare relished every flinch every, hushed whimper. Her smile growing larger with every bite of pain she caused.
“Poor little Twilight. Too dangerous to be left alone but too worthless to deserve even a spic of true attention.” She stopped inches from her face, the trembling filly unable to stop herself from pulling back.
“I will kill you Twilight. “She hissed suddenly furious. “But first I will break you. Then again--” she laughed lowly bending down to whisper in her ear. “How can I do anything more to disgusting damaged goods.” Twilights eyes widen and the warm in her heart threatened to cool and die when--
Twilight!.
Her eyes widened at the shout, both mares turning as shadows appeared on the far wall, a multitude of voice calling out.
“Twilight!”
“We’re here!”
“Hang on!”
Limping, beaten and bruised, the five fillies came rushing as fast as they could around the corner, Spike in the lead as they raced to be with their friend.
“Twilight!” Spike cried seeing her on the ground. He ran toward her, throwing his body on top of hers as he stared fearfully up at the mistress of the dark. Nightmare only looked amused as the battered filles limped toward her. Applejack was hobbling on three legs, the third mangled and held to her chest. Fluttershy looked like she could barely breath, her chest dented oddly and blood on her lip as she was held up and half dragged by Pinkie. Rainbow’s wing hung limply and Rarity white coat couldn’t be seen under the blood and bruises, but they came slowly, steadily to surround the downed purple filly.
“Well look at here the gangs all back together.” Nightmare said with amusement. “I admit Twilight I had quite looked forward to parading your mangled corpse before them but maybe this is better.” Her eyes narrowed and she sneered viciously.
“Now I can kill you all together and show Equestria what happen to thoughs who don’t fear the dark.” Spike trembled violently at her cold words burying himself deeper in Twilight side.
“T…the el.elements!” he stuttered griping her fur tightly in his fist. “The element will stop you.”
“The elements!” Nightmare laughed cruelly, her horn flashing an inky black. “Do you mean these worthless hunks of rock.” She said, the stones orbs popping into the air above her head only to be shattered under her magical might.
“Was that your plan little drake? To come here and plead for mercy from useless stones and all for what.” She grinned manically, eyes glowing a bottomless black.
“The Elements are death little one and so is your sun. From this day froth the night shall last forever!”
She reared, roaring her triumph to the heavens as the fillies cowered before her. Twilight bit her lip unable to believe that it was all over, not after everything they’d done, all they’d been through. Fur brushed against hers and Twilight looked up in surprise. The fillies were pressed close, shielding her body with their own as they faced down the alicorn for what could be their last moments.
Their bodies trembled violently, eyes wide and panicked but none of them broke or even pleaded for their life, with her even at the end. She stared at them, these fillies who had willingly followed an angry, bitter unicorn into danger when she herself had been more than happy to let the world freeze.
Memories raced behind her eyes, their desperate trek through the forest, the many near death experiences and even her own misplaced cruelty. They had stuck with her through it all, keeping close even when she done her best to drive them away. Realization hit and she gasped, a spark ignited and the warmth that had been growing in her chest blazed into an inferno.
“You think..” she coughed shakenly, pulling herself to her hooves. She faced the nightmare with a glare, a rainbow beginning to form in her eyes.
“You think you can destroy the elements! Well, you’re wrong because the true Elements of Harmony are right here!” She thrust her chest out as she stood firm within the circle of her friends. Nightmare eyes widening as the shattered pieces of stone began to glow.
“Applejack who’s heartfelt truth lead me out of the forest of lies represents the spirt of..Honesty!” the orange stones shot forth to circle around the farm filly and her broken leg tingled.
“Fluttershy who gave compassion to a fallen enemy represents the spirt of..Kindness!” pink stone supported the dazed pegasus holding her up.
“Pinkie Pie who sparked joy when we needed it most represents the spirt of..Laughter!” With a whoop and a giggle, the stones circled the pink filly bringing life back to her eyes.
“Rarity who’s selfless gift healed a rift broken by pain represents the spirt of..Generosity!” the green stone glowed around the white filly stealing away some of her pain.
“And Rainbow Dash who refused to give into fear and wouldn’t abandon her friends even at the cost of her own life represents the spirt of..Loyalty!” the circling stone seem to rumble like thunder and Rainbow felt her wings warm.
Twilight glared up at Nightmare the rainbow glowing in her eyes. “We may have been beaten; we may have been bruised but we’re not broken! These five ponies got us through everything you throw at us!”
“But you don’t have the last element! “ Nightmare yelled a trace of fear lacing her tone. She backed up looking wildly at the glowing stones. “The spark didn’t work.”
Twilight took a deep breath, and her eyes soften bending down to give Spike a gentle nuzzle before turning to look at the other fillies.
“But it did work.” She said tenderly tears misting her eyes. “When I realized how happy I was to see you, to hear you. When I realized how much I cared about you. “She span bared her teeth and shouted her truth to the world.
“When I knew they were my friends!”
Blinding light exploded from above a whirlwind of colors blending together to form a glowing stone branded with a five-pointed star.
“And when I lit my spark.” She whispered closing her eyes “It released the sixth element Magic!” The fillies closed their eyes as the glow of the stones grew blinding. Magic swirled around them, the broken shards of the elements lifting them into the air as each one formed into golden necklaces upon their neck. Magic glowed the brightest forming itself into a gleaming tiara that set delicately upon Twilight crown.
“No!” Nightmare cried backing up as the magic surged six colors joining together to form a massive rainbow. It swirled around its bearers rising to the ceiling and gaining power with every past till it shot forward to blanket the dark goddess. Nightmare reared back wings flapping as she scrambled to escape, her entire being consumed by fear.
“Nooooo! Not again! I won’t be beaten by some pathetic fillies!” Her horn lit desperately, the darken magic rushing out to meet the oncoming wave but the rainbow power could not be stopped not even by a goddess.
Nightmare screamed in fury as her spell was shattered, the rainbow blast washing over her with no mercy. “No! Noooooooo!" she cried out in denial, rearing back in one last futile attempt to escape as she was overwhelmed. Magic filled the castle saturating the air as it pulsed like a heartbeat spreading out all across Equestria in a super charged wave.
Twilight could feel the magic in the air, her body surrounded in a sea of warmth as the harmony magic swirled around, cocooning her in an embrace of silence till suddenly.
The sounds of crying
“Tia..”
Twilight opened her eyes.
“Where am I?” she asked looking around. The Nightmare, her friends, they were all gone, it was completely dark and echoing around her was the sound of crying.
“Hello!” she cried, not immune to the heart-breaking sound. The crying continued, the sound soft and broken, the pony too upset to be quiet but also filled with the shattering clarity that no one would come to ease their pain. Unable to stop herself, Twilight plunged into the dark trying to find the source of the haunted sound. There was a moment of warmth and a tingle of bells then slowly a blue lite path appeared in front of her, leading farther into the dark. Having nowhere else to go she followed. Her trot breaking into a gallop as the crying seemed to grow closer the moment she stepped onto the path.
An odd sense of desperation suffocated her, an urge to hurry pushing her on and she pumped her legs faster till her breath grew short and her heart hammered in her chest. Suddenly all at once the feeling disappeared and she came to a stop breathing heavily.
There at the very end of the path, as if she’d been there all along, was a pony, an alicorn of light blue fur, thin shoulders shaking with hopeless sobs. Twilight hesitated but urged on by unknown forces she crossed the last few inches between them.
“Hello.” she said softly, keeping her voice low. The little alicorn gasped, turning slowly as if every movement hurt. Teary, red rimmed blue eye peeked at her through a tangled mane “Why are you crying?” Twilight asked awkwardly. She had only very recently awakened her more tender emotions and she was still trying them on for size.
The little alicorn didn’t answer, hunching low to wrap her wings around herself as she stared at Twilight with large, haunted eyes. Twilight shifted nervously, feeling uncomfortable under the forlorn glaze. Eyes were a window to the soul and the mare poured out her pain for all to see, the well of her heart so full she couldn’t have hidden it if she tried. Feeling compelled Twilight stepped a little closer an odd feeling clenching her chest when the alicorn cowered back with a weak cry. Eyes softening, she reached out touching her back, all at once she was consumed by a vision.
She was younger and so much smaller, prowling the castle at night to get some fresh air as she had finally gotten Spike to sleep. The few ponies moving about kept their distance and she had no desire to interact with them. Rounding a corner she stopped, eyes locking on sullen sight a little way down the hall. Celestia, mane dim and eyes focused on the moon stood as still as death at the end of the path. She was unmoving, looked to be barely breathing and as the small filly stared into her eyes she noticed there was something..shattered about her glaze. Feeling like she was seeing something she wasn’t supposed to, she backed away quietly but not before she heard a small whisper past the alicorns lips.
Luna…
“Luna.” Twilight muttered. The little alicorn started at the call of her name looking up quickly. “Your names Luna right? Celestia’s sister?” Twilight said in realization. It all made sense now, the prophecy, Celestia’s actions, everything.
“No.” the voice was small and raspy, throat destroyed by years of torment and tears. “I have no sister. I have nothing.” Fresh tears sprang to her eyes and the little alicorn turned away with a dejected cry.
“That’s not true!” Twilight said strongly placing a hoof on one shaking shoulder. “You do have something! You have a sister! One who’s been waiting for you for a long time.” Luna shook her head mutely, pulling away and moving further into the darkness.
“Nopony wants me. I am nothing please just leave me.”
“Come with me.” Twilight ordered abruptly suddenly afraid. The darkness seemed to coil clinging to the broken alicorn as she moved back. She didn’t know how but Twilight was suddenly sure something bad would happen if she allowed Luna to be taken by the shadows. Moving aggressively, she yanked the alicorn to her hooves. The light blue mare stumbled, weakened legs struggling to hold her weight.
“You don’t need to stay here anymore. Come with me.” The little alicorn’s lips trembled, all four knees threatening to give out as the purple filly urged her onto the blue path.
“No! I can’t go back. I can’t.” she shouted, resisting even as Twilight pushed her on. “Just leave me here. There is nothing out there for me! There never was!” She let out a hollow sob and her form seemed to darken slightly, mending into the gloom. “Just leave this place. Let me stay with the shadows, there all I ever had.”
“And I told you that’s not true!” Twilight yelled rearing up to headbutt the alicorn in the rump. Luna, shocked, yelped at the feel of the sharp horn her legs skittling forward, breaking free of the tangle of darkness.
“It doesn’t matter how you feel because you have somepony waiting for you and she’ll forgive all of that.” She declared loudly. “She’ll give you a place even if you don’t want it. Even if you don’t deserve it.”
Generosity
A green light suddenly appeared in the darkness.
“Why are you doing this?” Luna whimpered even as Twilight continued to press her forward, the alicorn taking slow, unsteady steps. “You don’t know what I’ve done. Who I am. I- ”
“I don’t.” Twilight huffed shoving at her back legs. The alicorn was finally starting to pick up pace. “I don’t know anything about you at all, but that doesn’t matter because somepony showed me that everyone deserves a little kindness.”
Kindness
A pink light joined its sister.
“I don’t.” Luna whimpered. “I betrayed her, betrayed our nation and everything we fought for. I don’t deserve your kindness nor your effort. Just leave me.”
“I’m getting really sick of you saying that!” Twilight grit her teeth, refusing to give up. “If you’re looking for some great speech about how great it is out there filled with joy and laughter and all that good stuff then I..” She swallowed thickly, thought of her own hopelessness, the continuing desire to simply lay down and rest. Forever. Of the darkness that even now lurked in her heart ready to consume her.
“I can’t because I.. I don’t even think I believe it. Not really, not yet.” She thought of bouncing pink curls, silly songs and laughing till she cried and her heart warmed. “But sometimes when all you know is darkness you just need to somepony to show you the light.”
Laughter
A blue light flicker into place
“How do you know!” Luna cried suddenly, the burst of emotion taking them both by surprise. It was too late now the dam had burst, a thousand years of guilt and grief pouring out. “You don’t know if she’ll be there not after what I’ve done! How I hurt her!” her wings snapped out with her cry, thin body trembling with agony as the darkness rushed forth, attaching to the shaking feathers, trying to pull her back. “I destroyed everything! Any hope I killed it! I shattered our bond with my own hooves. My sins cannot be forgiven! “
“But she will, she has!” Twilight yelled back her shout dispelling the creeping darkness. “I know she has cause she’s been waiting a thousand years! She waited and waited and kept on waiting, all for you! And now your back and she’s not gonna have to wait anymore!” The filly yelled headbutting her again. The alicorn was now moving on her own. Shaky legs accelerating.
Loyalty
A red light burst out of the darkness.
“But I-“ Luna stuttered pushing her legs forward even as desperate hope warred with her despair. She swallowed thickly, wanting so desperately to believe even when she was so afraid she was already dammed.
“You..you cannot know that! That she is waiting for me, not after so long. There –“ she broke off in a sob even as she kept running because to hope was torment and nopony deserved torment more than her.
“I don’t even know if you’re real! If any of this is real! It could all be some cruel trick just to hurt me and it should because I deserve it and-!”
“It’s not a trick! It’s not a lie!” Twilight interrupted nipping her hocks.
Honesty
An orange light completed the ring.
“Everything is real! Me, you, everything and we’re gonna get out of here! I’m gonna take you home! It doesn’t matter what you did, who you hurt or anything! Cause you have somepony waiting on you and I..” she thought of the five fillies who had followed her into a nightmare, of the little dragon who was always by her side.
“And I have somepony waiting for me too.” She finished softly. Purple eyes narrowed in determination. “So I’ll get us out! I’ll make sure we get home and if you can’t move forward, if you can’t even crawl then I’ll carry you!”
Magic
A bright purple light exploded in the sky connecting all the lights into a blazing ring of color. They shot forth, merging to form a rainbow of radiance that seared through the darkness, wrapping the mares in a well of gleaming color. Luna’s eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat as the light engulfed her, seeping into every pore and vein, burning away the festering blackness that had corrupted her heart and soul. There was a hissing screech, a scream of denial as the light cleansed her, clearing her mind of hate and fear till in a split second of rapture she truly believed that she could go home.
A second was all it took and a spark lite, connected and the rainbow surged forth blazing like the sun as the mare galloped. Hooves pounded the trail as the two fillies ran out of the darkness and into the light.
******************************************************************************
“Twilight, Twilight!”
Purple eyes cracked open, hazy and unfocused. The filly moaned while her body, deciding she was now properly awake, immediately began to tell her everywhere it hurt. There was a sobbing sign of relief then Spike tear-stained face came swimming into view.
“Oh, Sun and Moon Twilight I was so scared! Are you ok?” he asked quickly wiping his face. Twilight only groaned, doing her best to pull herself to her hooves.
“Wha-what happened?” she asked, looking around in a daze. “Did..did we win?” she had hazy memories of fear and darkness but they were already fading, dispelling like wisps on the wind. Her ears flicked as other groans echoed around the room and she looked up to see her friends stirring.
“Did anypony get the name of the cart that hit me?” Rainbow moaned rubbing her head with a wing. There was a sharp gasp and then Fluttershy was there, forehooves delicately cradling the blue wing.
“Rainbow your wing!” Rainbow Dash looked confused for a second before looking down at her undamaged wing. The wing that not so long ago had been broken and shattered. It took a second for it to click then she gasped, eyes widening.
“My wing. My WING!” she screeched snapping both healed and whole appendages out before leaping into the air. “My wing is back and better than ever! Ah yeah baby!” The pegasus cheered twirling and looping through the air.
“Wait!” she said as she suddenly hit the brakes. “Fluttershy your injuries! I heard something crack when that Nightmare attacked you and--“ she whipped her head around looking at the others.
“Applejack! Your leg its-“
“Fine!” the earth pony said in dazed awe shaking the undamaged legs mutely. “Check it out not even a mark!” Cries rang out from the others, all the fillies noticing that their injuries and pain had completely vanished into mist. Twilight gave Spike a thorough once over all but dizzy with relief when she confirmed the dragon was heal and whole.
“Hey, look at this look at this!” Pinkie cried suddenly hopping excitedly as she puffed out her chest. Gleaming brightly around her neck was a golden necklace with a light blue balloon shaped gem at its center.
“Oh wow Pinkie it looks just like your cutie mark.” Fluttershy said coming closer.
“They all do!” Pinkie cheered tapping the butterfly necklace on Fluttershy’s throat. “No fair though why does Twilight get a crown?” Rainbow complained pointing with a wing.
Twilight looked up giving a small oof as the starred crown, slightly oversized, fell over her eyes. The other laughed and Applejack stepped forward giving the purple filly a quick nuzzle before she could react. “You know Twilight, I thought you were sprouting a whole lot of hooey, but I guess we really do represent the element of harmony.”
“Indeed you do!”
Golden light suddenly pieced the dark, the fillies closing their eyes as the sun rose as last. A bright burst of white light flew from its surface condensing into the brilliant form of Princess Celestia. Gasping they all immediately threw themselves into a bow except Twilight who froze staring up at her mentor with mounding dread.
The purple filly’s ears flattened, and she shrank back moving quickly to hide behind the reassuring bulk of Applejack.
“Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia voice called out, carefully neutral. “Come stand before me.” Twilight flinched shrinking lower.
“Please”
Feeling she had no choice the filly skittered from behind her worried looking friend head hanging as she inched her way toward the Sun Princess and sank down to her haunches.
“What?” she muttered already hearing the lecture ringing in her ears. Celestia looked at her, face unreadable. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” She said quietly “Not for this.”
“What, were you expecting Trixie?” Twilight snorted bitterly.
“Well..” She hesitated then just sighed. Twilight had been through so much, done what she’d never thought possible, the truth was the least of what she deserved. “Actually, yes.” She said at last her shoulders slumping as she slowly sank to her haunches. “I knew of Nightmare Moon return Twilight. I’ve known for years, and that the element were the only way to stop her.” She looked down at the foal's hanging head.
“Trixie was my chosen champion and I’ve been training her since I took her on as my student to face my sister.” She took another deep breath and shook her head, ears flicking. The look she gave Twilight was impossible sad.
“I never mean for you to face the Nightmare Twilight not when you’re so young and untrained.” She said softly wishing Twilight would look at her while also fearing to meet her eyes.
“You have a habit of not being where I expect you, but I believed I knew you well. I thought..” she trailed off, closing her eyes and looking away. “You’re not the friendliest pony Twilight nor do you even try to pretend. I knew Nightmare would seek me out first and I couldn’t take the risk of her finding you. So I send you here. Dropped in a new town I expected you would simply hole yourself up in the library and let the events pass you by. I would pick you up after it was all over and we would go home but you..” she trailed off gave herself a brisk shake before taking a deep breath. Opening her eyes, she stood to her full height wings spread as she towered over the small foal.
“Twilight Sparkle.” She decaled boldly. “You saw the signs of Nightmare Moon’s return and acted when nopony else could. You gathered the elements, braved the Everfree forest and returned the Sun to the heavens. You have without a doubt saved the world.” She suddenly smiled softly, a large white wing snaking down to gently lift her foal’s head.
“More than that my Twilight you’ve done something I was beginning to lose hope for.” She leaned down and touched noses.
“You made friends.”
Twilight eyes widened and she stared at the alicorn in surprise. “What!” she stammered, backing away. Celestia giggled giving her a quick lick. “As I said Twilight you have never been a friendly pony. The walls around your heart were so tall and strong I was afraid nopony could ever reach you.” Her eyes grew warm, her wing extending to draw the foal close.
“The element can only be wheeled by though who have opened their heart to true friendship. You made friends Twilight and through them you saved the world.” Her eyes shimmered as she leaned down wrapping her neck around the trembling foal and nuzzling her close.
“I’m so proud of you.”
Twilight stiffens, her expression dazed as tears clouded her vision. Feeling a hitch in her throat she released a trembling sign, closing her eyes and burying her face in Celestia’s chest. Long held back tears going unnoticed as they glided down her cheeks.
“Now..” Celestia whispered giving the filly one last nuzzle and a lick behind the ears. She took a deep breath and only Twilight pressed so close could feel how she trembled as the white alicorn lifted her head, purple eyes finally laying upon her sister for the first time in a thousand years. Gingerly stepping around Twilight Celestia walked toward the trembling mass of blue fur and feathers, weighted hoof steps echoing in the silence.
“Princess Luna.” She spoke stopping short of the filly like alicorn, “It has been a thousand years since I’ve seen you like this.” Luna eyes snapped opened at the equally longed for and dreaded voice. Swinging her head around she locked eyes with her sister. Electricity seemed to arch between them, light purple clashing with dark blue.
“Luna..” Celestia whispered taking a step forward, she wanted to say more but Luna gasped lowly skirting back. She scrambled to escape all but belly crawling back till her butt hit the wall where she pushed up to her haunches. Trembling like a leaf, she closed her eyes turning away and pulling her wings up to cover her face with a keeling whine.
Celestia swallowed thickly wanting to say something, anything but a hard lump had formed in her throat, a fierce burning building behind her eyes as she watched her sister cower from her. Anxiety beat in her breast, her wing falling like dead weight as she took another step forward, needing to make this right. Luna kneeled again as if able to sense her sister’s nearness and pressed herself further into the wall, her body shaking so badly she vibrated the stones around her. Celestia flinched hurriedly scrambling back to give the smaller alicorn space, feeling desperately helpless and lost.
Twilight, who had been coaxed back to stand with her new friends, watched the reunion intently. Her heart broke for Luna as the little alicorn cowered against the wall kneeling in fear every time her sister tried to get closer, but the unicorn also felt for her mentor. The solar alicorn hold body had collapsed at her sister’s rejection, the flow of her mane and tail stilling till they fell limp at her side, head hanging low. Frowning Twilight stamped a hoof gaining Celestia’s attention. Their eyes met and something flashed within their depts as the unicorn tossed her head toward the beaten alicorn.
“Don’t give up.” She whispered, “She needs you.”
Celestia turned back breathing shakenly but stepped forward Luna flinching and letting out a small whimper at the sound of her hoof steps grew closer. Celestia winced at the sound her heart warring between her own self loathing and guilt, wanting to stay away as to not give the smaller alicorn anything more to fear and her own selfish desire to have the other half of her heart back. The two desires clashed within her locking her in a standstill till suddenly magic rose and filled the air.
Her fur stood on end as the magic build and flowed through her washing away the overwhelming flood of emotion and calming her heart. Breathing it in the magic continued to condense and rise tugging and caressing the very core of hersoul till she could do nothing but follow where it lead.
“Heart beats fast..” She sang quietly feeling the flow of magic guide her along. She slowly lifted her head the anxiety fading.
“Colors and promises.” Luna’s ears perked at the soft lyric. A quiet breeze began to blow, carrying music on the wind.
“How to be brave. How can I love when I’m afraid.”
And she was afraid. Afraid to get it wrong, afraid to say the wrong thing, afraid that one wrong move would cause her to lose her sister forever after thousand years locked in the agony of waiting.
“To fall. Watching you stand alone.”
Another step closer. How long had Luna been alone even when she was supposed to have her sister beside her. How often had Luna been pushed to the shadows, denied even a scrap of attention as the solar alicorn busied herself with everything she had placed above the one who mattered most.
“All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow.”
Luna head lifted, light blue wing rustling as it fell away from her face allowing her to watch her sister clearly. She still trembled at the larger alicorn approach, but her ears were perked forward, and she was listening intently. Celestia released a shaky breath, her hearts seeming to tremble with ever step.
“One step closer.”
Then she was upon her all four knees collapsing to bring her to the ground and keep the lunar alicorn out of her shadow. Her body seems to almost vibrate in place, barely a hair width away from the one she loved more than her own life. Feeling her throat hitch she just drank her in, eyes locked on that beloved face.
Luna lips trembled and a soft sob broke free unable to hold back the tears as a part of her long thought dead suddenly roared back to life. A thousand years of darkness, pain and loneliness were washed away as the sisters came together and the bonds that had always been between them flared to blazing life once more.
“I have died everyday waiting for you. Darling don’t be afraid I have loved for thousand years. I’ll love you for a thousand more.”
The two collided, Celestia nuzzling in close and never wanting to let go. Tears bled into fur, made damp trails down their cheeks as pressed their forehead together staring into each other eyes. Luna broke away first with a watery sob, burying her face in Celestia’s chest.
“I’m sorry.” Luna cried “I’m so sorry big sister.”
“I waited for you!” Celestia broke in with her own breathless sob. “I never stopped. I never gave up.” She wrapped her wings around her, nosing into her mane as she tucked her in tight.
“All alone I believed I would fine you. Time has brought your heart to me I have loved you for a thousand years.”
She nuzzled light blue fur, unable to stop, never wanting too and Luna nuzzled right back trying to get as close as possible. Two halves of the same whole, one once more.
“I messed up Tia! I messed up so bad.” She whimpered burrowing till it felt like they were one skin. “I thought I couldn’t come back, that you hated me.”
“Never.” Celestia said fiercely, pulling her that much closer. “Not even for a second.” She whispered nuzzling into her mane. “Every moment of my life for the last thousand years was spend with one goal in mind getting you back because--“
“I have died everyday waiting for you. Darling don’t be afraid I have loved you for thousand years.”
She wrapped herself more fully around the lost alicorn filly warm tears streaming down her face to soak into Luna, pressed so close. The light blue filly tears soaking her fur in turn. “I missed you so much Lalu.”
“I’ll love you for a thousand more..”
Off to the side the bearers brushed away their own tears, happy laughs shared between them as the sisters were finally reunited. Wanting to share in the happy moment the fillies gathered close as the sisters separated, at least physically, and Celestia gave them all a bright watery smile.
“Thank you.” She said with feeling leaning down to nuzzle Luna, wrapped beneath her wing. “You have no idea what this means to me.” The fillies shared excited glances, their faces flush with pride as they puffed out their chests.
“No problems at all Princess.”
“It was our pleasure darling really.”
“Oh yeah!”
“Woohoo! New Princess!” They talked over each other, voices high and excited. And if they talked just a little too loud or if their voices cracked and a few stubborn tears were desperately scrubbed away nopony said anything because it was over. They’d done it. Six fillies and a baby dragon had defeated the Nightmare and saved the world. Twilight released a trembling breath feeling the weight of the world slid from her withers like hot butter in the summer sun. Feeling tiny arms wrap around her leg she leaned down to nuzzle Spike head fin, breathing him in and letting it settle in her heart that they were safe it was finally, truly over.
“Twilight.” She looked up at the soft hesitant voice, seeing Princess Luna stepping toward her with an encouraging nudge from Celestia. She blinked owlishly reminded of memories from another time and place and tried to smile at the young princess, but her face didn’t seem to be working right.
“Twilight!”
Voices were calling her, but it all seemed so distance. Black swirled in front of her vision and her last thoughts was to wonder why the princess looked so distressed before the darkness closed in and she knew no more.