Darkness permeated the room. A rectangular table was stationed before the Solar Diarch; she at the rear and her side having the only hint of light from a source above her. In front of her, hidden by the shadows, were three other figures. One sat at the other end of the table with the other two to the sides of it; guarding, eyes trained on the visitor. Celestia had never been able to make out faces or forms whenever she visited these imposing creatures. Beneath the veil of stalwart authority lay hidden the fear she felt towards them.
“Do we have a deal?” the one sitting asked with a tone more demanding than polite.
For the umpteenth time the Princess questioned her sanity. They were more of a requirement than a choice. Long ago, when she had first encountered this very creature, she had believed it would lead to a golden age for Equestria. Looking back, she would give anything to just to tell herself to stay away; to never be welcoming to them, to never appear before them. Her face turned down, shadows falling over her features and completely hiding the tear that formed beneath an eye.
“Yes,” she replied. She was surprised by how defeated her voice sounded.
“Good,” the figure said. The sound of a chair being pushed back against the metal floor caught her attention; she unable to clearly see the other end. “I expect him dead this time. Fail again and you will face the consequences. This is your last chance, Princess.”
The tear fell, she replying, “I understand.”
* * *
Celestia glanced across the view of her nation. Her balcony recently become a place of solace and contemplation. She would stand for hours on end, admiring the buildings and structures her little ponies had crafted with their own hooves. Her memories would be jogged, she remembering events and ponies alike; happy, sad, even situations she couldn’t properly recall and faces she couldn’t name. It would always bring up strong emotions kept hidden within her, her normally neutrally polite expression fading into one of sadness.
On this evening she struggled to hold back the tears.
Everything she knew, everypony she loved, was now under the looking glass of a nation far more powerful than her own. Celestia had always believed herself the eternal defender to the livelihood and freedoms of her ponies; it only natural with her maternal instincts. For centuries, even millennia, every decision she made was for the benefit of her country and its citizens. Always calculating, always carefully tending and placing the pieces on the metaphorical chessboard of life. Sometimes she would nudge them, other times forcing them, but nearly always her instincts, her motivation, would better the cause.
She should've blasted the new arrival when she had the chance. All of this would have been prevented had she simply gone beyond her natural way of harmony and peace. She could have even made an excuse that it was a dire issue of national security. Ponies would look differently upon her, sure, but she would have saved them all. Saved them like she always did, like she always should. The Diarch felt her knees buckle, her hoofs trembling upon the stone surface. In another moment she lay on her stomach, her head tucked into her forehooves as she let loose her tears in the form of quiet sobbing. She had failed them. Murder was now the only alternative and it hurt her, deeply hurt her, to finally come to terms with it.
A lone flying guardspony caught sight of the Princess, quickly flying off to report to his charge.
* * *
Princess Twilight Sparkle desperately pounded against the door to Celestia’s chambers. “Princess!” she cried, “Celestia, please!” She pounded a few more times, “Please open!”
Her mane was in a mess and for whatever reason she couldn’t bring herself to barge in as was Dusk Storms recommendation. She was a polite and courteous pony, brought up to respect the privacy of other ponies regardless of her station. The more her hoof made contact with the door, however, the more this polite demeanour began to fade. Even if this was one of the eternal leaders of Equestria, there had to come a time when friendship surpassed formality. That time came quicker than she expected when she caught the sound of a faint cry.
“Princess we’re coming in!” she announced, turning to nod at Dusk Dawn. He would never forgive her if she didn’t allow him to take the lead.
The magi guardspony gave a firm nod in return, his violet armor clanking as he neared the door and reared on his hind legs. His wings flared and his brown coat rippled as his muscles tensed with the gathered strength, his fore body coming down in a might slam against the double doors as he forced it open from the center. He then rushed in, drawing from his side holster a sword as he readied to defend the life of his charge.
Twilight rushed in after, wings flared and horn radiating with magic as he readied an offensive spell. Both sets of heads turned quickly around the apparent unoccupied chamber, then quickly turning to the direction of the balcony as another sob was heard. Dusk galloped first, Twilight watching as the magi came to a stop quickly and sheathed his sword. He backed from the opening to the balcony, a look of concern on his features as he turned to the Princess of Magic. “Your Highness,” he said with worry, hoof simply pointing.
The Magical Diarch’s eyes widened, a look of fear on her face as she quickly closed distance. When she caught sight of Celestia curled up on the balcony floor and crying she felt the sting of tears emerge from her own eyes. Quickly she went, nuzzling against her mentors snout.
“Princess,” Twilight called softly, her voice cracking from the sudden burst of emotions flooding her. “Princess, what’s wrong, won’t you tell me?”
“I-” Celestia tried to say, cut off by a sudden gasp. “I have done a horrible wrong...”
Taken aback, Twilight took a step away, tears still visible in her eyes. “W-What do you mean? What did you do?”
I standing by her crib, admiring her sleeping form. My hand rested on the edge of the crib, the nearby window allowing enough moonlight in to illuminate the bedroom. Above the crib, just at the top corner of my vision, a mobile with objects of horses swinged silently. It was every parents dream to see this; a baby happily sleeping, chest rising and falling slowly, comforted and content. I was no exception, happy that I could experience this. Some part of me knew this was a dream, but another part didn’t care. Right now, as I stood, my daughter was still alive. I relished in the comfort it brought me.
I heard the creaking of the door. I turned slowly, my smile growing wider. A woman, somewhat shorter than I, proceeded in. The blue nightgown she wore giving her the appearance of gliding on the floor as she walked. Her native features hidden by the soft darkness of the corner entrance she emerged from, becoming visible once the moon struck her with its gentle hue. I extended my other arm, wrapping it around her as we both stood. My head leaned against her shoulder, I smelling her sweet perfume as I rested briefly against her raven-black hair. My head then lifted, we both staring intently down at the result of our joined love.
“She’s beautiful.”
The quiet voice hadn’t come from my wife, instead from behind. I watched as Kelly turned slowly, a smile forming on her face as she nudged me. “Look,” she whispered, “it’s your friend.”
I blinked, staring at Kelly for a few moments, not wanting to look as I knew what would happen. I wanted this moment to linger, not for it to be intruded upon. When she nudged me again, I finally relented. Dream or not, the woman still had a hold on me. I turned, trying my best to smile in the presence of my beloved. Luna stood at the doorway with a smile on her lips. She glowed with an almost natural hue, exactly the same as the what the moon outside provided. When the dream didn’t end, I looked back to my wife.
She gave me a knowing smile, then looked to Luna. “You have a beautiful mane, Princess.”
“Thank you,” Luna replied sincerely. I felt a tear form out of the corner of my eye, the memory of my wife's voice almost distant until this dream refreshed it. I watched as Kelly leaned into the crib, gently cradling our daughter to her chest as she smiled at me. “I’m going to take Stephanie to our room, honey. You two have a lot to catch up on.”
Luna moved out of the way as Kelly departed, giving me a brief look and smile before the darkness consumed her form. I felt my lips beginning to tremble as the tear slid down my cheek.
“Do you mind if I asked what happened?”
The question from Luna caught me off guard. I felt myself gasp, clearing my throat as I tried my best to remain composed. I didn’t want to look at Luna, not yet. Instead I went to the wooden chair to my side. I sat, feeling its texture as the memory of its purchase came and went from my mind. It was another comforting event I cherished. I leaned forward, hands clasped together as my elbows rested on my knees. My head lowered, closing my eyes. I decided I would not yell at the Princess.
“They died,” I replied. “Few months from this memory, they’ll be burned alive in a car accident. At least, that’s what I was told.”
There was a silence, then, “I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault,” I said. “Rebels engaged in a surprise attack above the city, people on the freeway panicked. One thing led to another. I was a world away at the time.”
I felt a gentle breath on my cheek followed by a nuzzle. “Don’t,” I said suddenly, the presence drifting away. I still had conflicting feelings, still didn’t know what to think of her. I sniffed, trying to hold back the tears. I felt my body involuntarily convulse, my hands quickly coming to cover my face as I proceeding to sob. It was soft, at first.
“Thomas, please.”
I cried harder. My body leaning forward more. I was dangerously close to falling from the chair.
“Please let me help you.”
My hands were wet from the tears, snot pooling with it. I went to rub my hands on my pants as I leaned up, resting my back on the chair despite the continued stream of tears. I looked away at first, then turned my head to gaze at Luna. I could feel it; my eyes were pleading, begging for it. I watched as the Princess approached; slowly, cautiously. She leaned her head down, the edge of her snout briefly filling my vision before lowering. Her eyes were soft, caring, open to me. My tears began to lessen as I took a deep breath, feeling her own caress my lips. I could smell the briefest hint moonflower, rich and comforting.
“Please,” she begged softly, her lips touching mine.
My eyes closed when our lips met. It had been a long time since I had an intimate moment with someone; particularly someone I cared for. At first our lips did not move, I merely savoring the moment. I felt my worries, my troubles, washing away. What replaced it was something else entirely. Eventually our lips moved and, as I pressed into her, I placed a hand on her cheek and felt through her coat to her heavenly mane. It was unlike anything I had felt before; divine, smooth, fluid like water. Our heads turned, our kiss continued, and eventually a new feeling arose. A feeling that had been hidden for a few long years.
I could almost sense when she felt it. Her lips stopped against mine briefly, continuing shortly after. Then I felt a hoof against my chest; gentle, firm, pushing me back. When I opened my eyes they were met by hers, both filled with regret. My breath calmed, my body having become excited from the kiss, and I return sitting in the chair. I looked to her confused. “Why?” I asked.
“I didn’t know,” she replied, “but now that I do, I know I can’t. I can’t share these feelings you have for me, Edward.” When she saw my hurt expression, she added, “I cannot be a replacement for what you have lost. It would be wrong.”
She moved in front of me, sitting, her head at the same level as mine. “What if I don’t care?” I asked, the feeling returning. “What if it doesn’t matter anymore?”
“Edward, I know it matters. I have seen how much it matters in your dream tonight.” She briefly gazed towards the door, I following. Kelly stood there, a smile on her face. Not one hiding hurt, but a truly genuine, sincere and caring smile. Her image faded shortly after, I returning my gaze to Luna. “Do you not see?” Luna continued, “What you had was true love, a love that still exists within you today. The love you feel for me is only a shadow of it, a natural instinct of your mind to find solace in the loss you experienced.”
I looked away briefly, back to the open door. Darkness met my gaze. My head turned down, I nodding before returning my gaze to Luna. I could see a tear from under her eye, my hand reaching out to wipe it away. It turning into an open palm for her cheek to rest against as she pressed into it.
“I am truly sorry for all I have done to you, Edward.” Her eyes closed briefly. “ I have mislead you, I have lied to you and now I have only broken further what must take forever to fix. I did not want this, any of this.” She opened her eyes, gazing towards mine.
I returned it with a smile, gently stroking her cheek before lowering my hand. “I forgive you,” I said. “Thank you.”
She smiled in return. Then she looked away, her eyes hidden by her flowing mane as it changed direction. “I must ask another boon of you, Edward. One that I will understand if you deny. This time, unlike every other time before, I do not expect you to undertake it.”
I was silent for a moment. “Go ahead,” I replied.
She looked to me again, one eye hidden by her mane. “The pony you have chanced upon, he is very dear to me. Once upon a time, we were lovers. He lost his way, but I never gave up hope for him. Now that he is back, there may be a chance I can return to him. But...”
I could tell she was trying to gauge my current reaction. When I nodded my head, she continued. “I fear if I meet him too early, the pony he once was may manifest again. I need somepony I trust, someone I trust, who can help him remember who he really is. This may be his last chance at redemption and I fear if he returns to his evil ways, he will be made no more.”
Silence was my reply. After a few moments, Luna looked away, standing on all fours and proceeding towards the door. My head was down, I deep in thought on this new information. It didn’t take me long to come to a decision.
“Wait,” I called, looking to her. I saw her turn slightly, one eye gazing back. “If I’m going to help, I need to know what happened.”
The smile on her lips was a pleasent sight.