//------------------------------// // Realizations // Story: A new Moon // by WhiteLightning //------------------------------// Chapter 4 Celestia opened the doors to her usual working area. It was a small room given the size of all the other rooms in the castle. There was a plush blue pillow lined with golden lace, a grande oak desk and a small fireplace in the corner. All of this surrounded by the purple walls and carpet expressed a quaint but still royal feeling. “This is where I answer and receive letters from all over. From Las Pegasus to Saddle Arabia, letters appear with all sorts of news.” Celestia explained as she lead her sister to the pillow near the fireplace. “You may work in comfort.” She continued, turning to her younger sibling. Luna’s eyes darted around, taking in all that was before her. Her face remained calm and collected as she examined every little detail of the room. She was engulfed with the responsibility she was really taking on and started to get quite excited. “Is this all that there is? Signing and sending letters?” she asked as she trotted around the room. Celestia smiled and gestured for her sister to sit on the plush blue pillow. “No dear sister, there is much more.” She levitated a spare pillow next to the one her sister lay upon. As they sat, Celestia explained the full duties and responsibilities of ruling the kingdom. She explained the celebrations and what everypony needed to do to prepare. Hours passed as The Sun Goddess continued to explain while her little sister listened with content. “Do you think you can handle all of that?” She asked finally finishing her explanation. Luna nodded slightly, looking to the floor, a thoughtful expression looming over her face. “I believe so..” she said, the uncertainty lingering in her voice. A knocking appeared at the door to the work room, drawing both sisters attention. “Luna? Are you in there?” Said a familiar voice from the hall. As the door creaked open, a small purple mare with extreme bed head walked in. The two princesses giggled silently as they observed their usually neat groomed friend. “Good morning my faithful student.” Celstia said with a bit of a giggle. “How did you sleep?” Twilight smiled and blushed a bit at her own informality. “I slept very well, thank you.” She said after a moment of silence. “I can’t believe I slept in this late, to be honest.” She continued. Luna stood and stretched her legs after having to sit for that long. She walked over to her friend and nuzzled her gently. “My dear sister had just been explaining the full extent of ruling all of Equestria.” She looked to the ground sheepishly. “And it is quite the responsibility...” The purple mare looked up to the princess and nuzzled her gently. “I know you will be a great ruler Luna.” She said as she tucked herself under Luna’s chin. “I’m going to have to go now, though. I’m sure Spike is worried sick...” Suddenly, a letter fabricated itself in a green puff of flame and smoke just inches in front of Celestia. The Sun Goddess looked to the letter for a moment and grinned. “It appears that spike IS quite worried. It has the emergency stamp on the seal.” She said with a small giggle. Twilight walked up and opened the letter, skimming it quickly before rolling it back up. “Heh... He insists on a search party...” She said returning it to Celestia. “I should go. It was my pleasure helping you in your studies Luna.” Luna nodded and smiled warmly. “The pleasure was entirely mine, Twilight Sparkle.” She said as Twilight walked out of the room. After Twilight had left Celestia looked to Luna, her eyes now filled with worry. “Luna... There is something you should know...” She said as her voice trailed off. Luna looked back to her sister as she closed the door. She had rarely seen Celestia’s expression so worried, and when she had, it was usually something she did not want to hear. “More about ruling the kingdom?” She inquired as she sat back down on the plush blue pillow next to her elder sister. Celestia nodded slowly as she closed her eyes, preparing her thoughts. After a few moments of silence, she finally spoke. “You above anyone should know that with immortality, there comes a price...” She said, looking not to her sister, but to the fireplace that was near them. “There comes a time in anypony’s life that demands decision. We are no exception. Twilight Sparkle is not immortal and although having her as a friend is great, you must understand that it is dangerous for us to care deeply for somepony...” Luna’s eyes shot open upon realization of what her sister was telling her. “Are you insisting that... that Twilight Sparkle has become more than a friend to me?..” She asked, her voice nervous and stuttering. There was silence in the room as she looked to her sister, then down at the floor in thought. “Maybe... maybe you’re right.” she said admittingly. “But even if you are, what am I to do sister? I do not see how I can control that which I cannot even understand.” Her elder sister looked to her and stood. “My dear sister, there is nothing wrong with it.” She said as she walked closer, placing a hoof under Luna’s chin. “I am merely suggesting that you must be prepared with what is to come. You cannot let your emotions get the better of you when making decisions for the rest of the kingdom. You must always remember to do what is right for the general population... even if that means sacrificing a bit of yourself to do it.” Luna looked down as a tear rolled down her cheek. “I understand...” She said quietly, not knowing any other way to respond. “I will do what is right for the kingdom... For Equestria.” She continued as she stood, wiping the tears from her eyes. Celestia smiled at the bravery of her younger sister. “I know you will.” She said as she wrapped her wing around her younger sister. “You will be a great ruler, dear sister. I know it.”