A New Moon
Chapter One
The Princess of the moon gazed over her moonlit kingdom with a mournful expression. Everypony had already gone into their houses and went to sleep and she knew that she was alone. She turned from her balcony letting out a low sigh as she walked back into her bedroom. “These ponies don’t know what they’re missing.” she said to herself in a hushed tone. “They sleep the night away, not knowing how beautiful the stars are or how bright the moon may shine.” She then let a quick smile form on her lips. “But I suppose that is how things always were and how they always will be.” she said as she started to levitate a brush from her vanity desk. There was not much need to brush her mane but the gesture of it always soothed her thoughts and calmed her in times of worry. Another sigh passed her lips as she thought of the recently passed Nightmare Night. All the ponies gathering around her only for her to turn to Nightmare Moon to scare them away. She loved spending time with her subjects but she wished she could do so without them running away in fear. After a few minutes of brushing she placed the brush back on the desk and headed to her bed as she saw it was nearing the time for her sister to raise the sun.
The kingdom was always calm when the sun first rose. Everypony had just woken up, smiling at the everlasting light that their princess brought to them. As Celestia finished raising the sun, she returned into her castle, closing the balcony windows with her glowing magic. As she returned to her room she heard a faint sound coming from her sister’s quarters. As she opened the door she found, to her surprise, her sister sitting at her desk. “What are you doing up at this hour?” Celestia asked with a slightly worried look on her face. Luna turned, slightly startled by her sister not realising that she had entered.
“I have tried to sleep sister, but something has been bothering me.” Luna looked towards her hooves as her gaze returned to her desk. Celestia slowly walked towards her younger sister and placed a hoof on her shoulder. Luna did not respond immediately and kept her gaze to the desk. “I do not feel that I am important to this kingdom anymore sister.. I do not have near as many responsibilities as you and am not looked up to as you are.” Luna had unwittingly started to sob, only noticing after a tear dropped from her cheek. Celestia was quiet for a few minutes as she towered over her sister. Luna looked up expecting to see a disappointed face, but instead was greeted with a warm smile.
“Then I suppose it’s about time Equestria realises that their beloved Princess of the Moon is back.”
Luna’s expression brightened greatly hearing these words. She suddenly embraced her sister, squealing slightly as she did so. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Celestia smiled and gave a gentle pat.
“To be honest, I grow weary of running everything. There are so many tasks to complete and so much responsibility. Are you sure you understand what you’re taking onto yourself?” Celestia examined her words in her mind not wanting to accidentally insult her sister. She knew how fragile Luna was after returning, despite the attitude she tried showing towards her subjects.
“I understand sister. I think I am ready.” Luna had regained her regal stance and a joyful smile She could not remember the last time she was this excited. ‘I can’t believe Tia is actually considering this!’ she thought to herself still showing the same bright smile. “I will do anything it takes to make sure every pony is happy and satisfied.”
Celestia looked down at her sister, losing her smile as it turned into a serious gaze. “You must know Luna. You will not always be able to make every pony happy. There will be moments where you must make important decisions and you must be ready to make the right choices, no matter the cost.”
Luna returned her sister’s serious gaze with her own. She had not heard her elder sister talk like this in quite some time. “I- I understand sister.” Luna’s voice was confident and proclaiming. “I will do what is best for this kingdom.”
“I know you will.” Celestia said with a smile. She tried to hide the fact that she was truly worried. It had been so long since she had actually had a break from her royal responsibilities, but was Luna ready to take this weight onto her shoulders? It had just been a year since her sister’s return, and she felt that her younger sister was still getting used to the new customs of this time. “Well, maybe there is someone you should speak to before taking on full responsibility.” She said with a forced smile.
“Who would this be?” the younger sibling inquired. “Surely there be no pony better to talk to than you?” She threw her gaze to the ground in thought. ‘Who could help me with royal responsibilities better than ‘Tia?’ she thought as her eyes bolted left and right as if she could see her own thoughts.
Celestia smiled a warm, gentle smile as she moved closer to her younger sibling. “The only pony that can teach you about the ponies of Equestria better than myself would be my greatest pupil, Twilight Sparkle.” She turned and began to write a letter.
Luna’s eyes lit up as she heard the name. It has been quite some time since she had talked to the mare that saved her from her dark powers. “I shall go at once, sister!” Luna said as she started speeding for the door. As she got closer to the door it suddenly shut, just in time to keep her inside.
“Wait, sister. You still have the duty of raising the moon. We need to schedule this meeting since you are up at such odd hours compared to everypony else.”
The Moon goddess looked towards her sister, anxious for her to release her magic from the door. “But ‘Tia, I must learn all I can as quickly as I can!” she said as she slowly moved toward her sister. She had never been this anxious to see someone and was surprised by her own words. She looked to her sister with pleading eyes, hoping that she would rethink this decision.
Celestia continued to write a letter, finally rolling it and wrapping the royal seal around it. “I know little sister, but everything needs planning. That is a lesson you could learn.” she said as she cast the letter away.