Princess Celestia, princess of the sun, had finally found some free time in her busy life. Some time to simply relax and stare out at the night sky. “Luna’s done such wonderful things for the stars since her return.” Celestia said as a shooting star crossed the horizon in front of her, almost making the night sky appear to smile for a flicker of a moment. Celestia giggled a little bit at the apparent coincidence. “I think she may be listening in on me.” She said.
“Your balcony is just above mine, sister.” Luna said. “I can hear you just fine down here.” She said as she used her magic to brighten a few more stars near the edge of the horizon.
“You really are quite the artist with the stars though, Lulu.” Celestia said, causing Luna to blush at the use of her nickname. “For a thousand years I’d wondered if the night sky would ever look this beautiful again.”
“Sister, you flatter me.” Luna said, giggling slightly. “Get your rest though. You’ve had a busy day.”
Celestia began to sigh, but it quickly became a yawn. “I suppose you’re right.” Celestia said as she stood to enter her bedchamber. “Good night, Luna.”
“And you as well, Tia.” Luna said. “May your sleep be safe and your dreams be pleasant.”
“One can only hope.” Celestia thought as she closed the balcony window behind her.
Celestia took a bit of extra time walking over to her bed. She hadn’t told anypony yet, but she hadn’t been sleeping well for the past couple of weeks. Canterlot was still under reconstruction after the changeling attack, and the events of that day had weighed heavily on the sun princess’s mind. Ever since her battle with Queen Chrysalis, Celestia had been having a difficult time getting any meaningful amount of sleep.
Eventually, the princess sighed and eased herself under the covers. “Maybe tonight will be better.” She thought as she closed her eyes and attempted to let sleep take her away.
When Celestia opened her eyes, she was drifting through outer space. Floating among the stars her sister had so carefully placed. Every move she made sent a few bits of sparkling stardust moving every which way. Experimentally, Celestia tried moving her wings. She was elated to see that she could still fly, even in the void of space as she soared through the stars.
Celestia traveled the galaxy, visiting all of the constellations she recognized. “I never thought the big dipper would be so small up close.” She mused as she lowered herself into the cup of the constellation, finding a solid surface of stars at the bottom. As her hooves touched the basin, the stars she touched lit up in an almost hypnotic way as she walked.
However, all good things must come to an end. The stars seemed to dim as they took on a greenish glow, casting Celestia’s shadow in ominous ways.
“Princess Celestia…” A feminine voice called out through the vastness of space. “How wonderful it is to see you once again.” The voice said with a little chuckle at the end.
“No. I’ll not entertain your intrusions!” Celestia shouted as she looked around herself for the source of the voice.
“Silly princess.” The voice sighed. “I’m not intruding. I’ve simply come to check up on you. You’ve seemed awfully tired as of late, and I would like to help you with that problem.” It said as the stars completely disappeared, leaving Celestia in a completely black void.
“Begone, foul entity!” Celestia commanded through her fear. “I banish you from this place!”
“Don’t you see?” The voice asked as the floor under Celestia’s hooves glowed a sickly green color. “You cannot command me. You hold no power here!” The voice boomed as green tendrils shot out of the floor and wrapped themselves around the princess.
“Release me!” Celestia ordered, panicking as the tentacles began to meld together, solidifying into a transparent green shell.
“Relax, princess.” The voice said soothingly. “It will all be better soon.” It said just before being replaced by an insistent buzzing sound. The white noise seemed to come from everywhere at once, forcing Celestia’s thought out of her mind.
“No! No! Noooooo!” Celestia screamed as she bolted upright in her bed. She was drenched in a cold sweat, and the covers had been tossed halfway across the room at some point.
“Princess Celestia!” Her night guard called as he knocked on the door. “Is everything okay in there?”
“Yes.” Celestia said, breathing heavily. “Yes, everything is fine.” She said as she tried to regain her composure. After taking a couple of deep breaths, Celestia got out of bed and opened the door to her room.
“I thought I heard you scream.” The white unicorn guard said as he snapped off a salute.
“I did.” Celestia said. “It was simply a bad dream though. Nothing more.”
“A bad dream?” The guard asked. “I was not aware that you suffered from such mundane troubles, princess.”
“I may be a princess, but I am no more or less a pony than anypony else.” Celestia said with a smile. “I have the occasional nightmare, just like anypony else might.” She said as her eyelids drooped a bit.
“Princess, are you sure you’re okay?” The guard asked, taking a step forward.
“Yes, I’m quite alright.” Celestia said. “I just need to get back to sleep is all. Please, resume your duties and don’t worry about me.” She said as she turned and closed the door to her chambers.
Celestia set about making her bed once she was alone, levitating the discarded sheets in a golden aura and gently settling them back into place. A brief search revealed that her pillow had somehow ended up near the balcony window. After returning that to its rightful place as well, Celestia risked a glance at her clock. She sighed in disappointment when she realized that it would still be another several hours before it was time to raise the sun.
“I suppose I’d best try to get back to sleep.” Celestia sighed as she slid herself back under the covers and closed her eyes. She tried sleeping on her back, but sleep would not come. Either side yielded the same result, and lying down on her belly failed to help matters as well. After an hour of tossing, turning, and once again ruining the bedspread, Celestia sighed in defeat and stared out the window. At least she could take solace in the beauty of the night sky.