//------------------------------//
// Celestia: Dreams of a Tyrant 
// Story: Dark Terrors 
// by Dragon Angel Knight 
//------------------------------//


Dreams of a Tyrant

Luna entered Celestia's dream and was shocked to see the landscape. It was The Solar throne in Canterlot, with Celestia on the throne. The Bearers of the Elements of Harmony were there as well, though none so prominent as the Element of Magic, Twilight Sparkle. The rest of the crowd, however, were faceless ponies in various colors. Dreams tend to keep certain features out of the equation, especially where crowds were concerned.


"Princess Celestia," Twilight said coldly, "We are charging you with crimes against sapient species everywhere and calling you out as the tyrant you are. What say you?"

Apparently, Celestia had just realized what was going on and began stammering, "I-I'm not... I-I didn't do... What is going on?!"

"Don't try and play dumb, TYRANT!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she raced forward and hit Celestia with the back of a forehoof, "You know damn well what you've done!"

"Yes," Rarity began, bringing forth a bolt of cloth and using it like a whip, "Your crimes are too heinous to even begin listing, Tyrant of the Sun."

"You don't even deserve to exist!" Fluttershy said aggressively. Though Fluttershy herself didn't attack Celestia, Luna noticed that several animals did the act for her, and when the animals left, Celestia was covered in shallow cuts and bruises.

"There's no party in the world that can fix what you've done!" Pinkie Pie said as she bounced in place, "And I should know, cause I'm the party mistress!"

"Ah can honestly say, Ah am appalled by this whole thang," Applejack said harshly, "Ah never woulda thought you'dve done this. And Ah called mahself an Equestrian citizen...."

By this time, Celestia had stopped trying to deny that she was a tyrant and had broken down crying. Soon, everypony but Celestia and Luna had faded from the throne room and Celestia began to speak. Celestia raised her head to the sun and let a sigh escape from her bruised body.

"I've had this nightmare several times in the past," Celestia said, tears still falling, "The first time it was you accusing me. By the end of it, Nightmare Moon had come and killed me. Eventually, it changed to Twilight and her friends, especially after you came back."

Luna walked up to the throne, slightly unnerved by what had happened. Celestia continued talking.

"It's always like this. The ponies I care so much for see me as a tyrant who banished her sister in a grab for power," Celestia sniffed, "I would always ask myself if I've been doing the right thing, ever since I banished you...."

"No, sister," Luna said softly, "You didn't banish me.... You banished Nightmare Moon. You were forced to make the toughest decision in our immortal lives, and you performed as admirably as anypony could given the same situation."

"But I sent you away!" Celestia screamed, her tears flowing more freely now, "Faust knows what you had to deal with up there for that millennium!"

"I was buried under Nightmare Moon, sister!" Luna said sharply, making Celestia halt her blubbering, "I knew nothing of my imprisonment beyond the dreams I had. I even remember a lullaby being sung every night for a thousand years...."

Celestia rushed forward and hugged Luna and said, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" over and over again as Luna comforted the elder alicorn. As Celestia calmed down, Luna stroked her mane.

"Sister," Luna said softly, "There is nothing to forgive. You have done nothing wrong and there is absolutely no reason for you to feel this way."

"But I..!" Celestia began to protest before an azure hoof was pressed to her mouth.

"But nothing. You did what you had to do," Luna said soothingly, "And I, for one, am proud of how you have handled things in my absence."

Luna brought Celestia in for a chaste kiss, just as Celestia had done earlier that evening. Celestia returned it, just as Luna had in the waking world. Luna pulled back and said, "Let these troubles be far from your mind, sister mine. You have the love and admiration of many of our ponies, and in turn you love them. That is all that truly matters."

Celestia sniffled once more before saying gratefully, "Than you Luna. I appreciate this so much more than I can ever convey in words."

Luna chuckled and said, "I know, 'Tia. And I love you, so very much."

Celestia nodded and said, "I love you too, Lulu. But now I fear it is time for us to change our duties."

Luna giggled and nodded, before ending her dream-walking spell. As she did, Luna noticed a small, but incredibly dark shape, flitting away from the dreamscape.