Resurgence

by UnlicensedBrony


Epilogue - Two Weeks Later

Two weeks later...

“...and We wish the construction of the extension upon the astronomy tower to begin immediately – as early as tomorrow afternoon, if possible. In addition, should thy workers happen across any of the books left behind in the upper levels, thou will see to it that they are delivered to Our quarters. Understood?”

The spectacled architect pony bowed deeply before Princess Luna, so much so that his snout almost touched the marble floor of the corridor in which they stood. “Of course, your highness,” he said. “I will draw up the schedule this evening.”

“Excellent,” said Luna, turning to the two remaining ponies before her – a bat-winged night guard and an armour-clad unicorn, who was supposedly his captain. Both had their eyes lowered in respect.

“Guardsman.” She addressed the bat-pony first. “Art thou familiar with the ceremonial flight of the Horse Head Meteor Shower?”

“I... am not, your highness,” the guard muttered gruffly.

Luna let out a sigh through her nose. “As We suspected. Very well, We shall have to devise a nightly training regimen at once, if the guard are to be prepared for the event. We shall begin tomorrow night, if thou hast no objection, Captain.”

“N-none, Princess! I'll be happy to assist in any way I can,” said the armour-clad unicorn.

Luna nodded. “Very well then. Thou art all dismissed. Though, Captain Shining Armour – We would request that thou remain behind a moment longer.”

The bat-winged guardspony and the architect performed another swift bow, bade “Your highness!” and beat a hasty retreat down the corridor. As they disappeared around the corner, Luna turned to Shining Armour again.

“Raise thy head, Captain,” she said, keeping her own snout high and authoritative.

He did – promptly adjusting his stance and lifting his eyes to meet Luna's with a steeled expression. “Princess?”

“We simply wished to extend Our praise for thy efforts over the past fortnight,” she began. “It is thanks in large part to thee that the Guard have come to respect Us once again, after Our absence.” She paused to consider him for a moment. “We are... grateful for thy assistance.”

Shining Armour smiled as he put a hoof to his chest in salute. “Not at all, Princess. It was both my duty and my honour.”

Luna cracked a smile of her own, but made sure that it didn't last long enough for him to see. “Yes, as it should be,” she said. “That will be all, Shining Armour. Thou art dismissed.”

“Yes, your highness,” he said, bowing his head again. He gave one more flash of a smile before turning to march away down the corridor, vanishing around the same corner as the others.

Luna smirked beside herself.

“You seem to be settling in nicely,” came Celestia's voice from behind her.

Luna turned to meet her approaching sister with a warm smile. “That We are, dear sister. Thy suggestion of assuming the Royal We and Canterlot Speaking Voice has served Us well in reasserting Our role as Princess of the Night.”

Celestia tilted her head and gave a questioning smile. “You realise that I meant that as a jest, Luna?”

“It matters not,” said Luna. “As We said, it has served Us well, and thus We shall continue to speak as such.”

Celestia let out a quiet chuckle as she came to a stop before Luna. Even having regained her form and donned a particularly comfortable pair of regal slippers, the younger sister still did not rival Celestia's height. But she came very close.

“Well, far be it for me to question the will of the Night Princess,” said Celestia lightly. “I am pleased to see how well you have adjusted, in any case.”

The two fell into step alongside one another, and started towards the doors at the far end of the corridor. A moment passed before a questioning frown crossed Luna's face.

“Thou had doubts?” she said, quirking a brow at her sister.

“As to whether you would have need of my guidance again, yes,” Celestia admitted. “And it is good to see that those doubts were unfounded.”

Understanding, Luna gave a slow nod and a smile. “Thy guidance is always welcome, Sister. But let us hope that we never again find ourselves in such an embarrassing situation as that.”

Embarrassing?” said Celestia. “I do not know what you mean.”

At first, Luna thought her sister might be making another joke. But the honest and serious smile or her lips told otherwise.

Luna adopted a smile of her own, and nodded gratefully. “Yes. Thou art quite correct, Sister.”

They reached the double-doors at last, and Luna used her magic to push them open. It had been several days since the novelty of being able to use her magic again had worn off, and now it was once again as nature to her.

The doors opened out into one of the palace's wide, green courtyards – with neatly pruned trees, bushes and flowerbeds all flanking a winding trail that led right the way through. The light of the Sun beginning to set in the West illuminated the largest of the trio of fountains that dotted the court. The two sisters instinctively started towards it.

“I suppose I shall not be allowed to call you 'cute' anymore?” said Celestia, as they walked across the soft, warm grass.

“Thou certainly shall not,” said Luna firmly. “Not that thou hadst Our permission in the first place.”

Celestia grunted in thought. “A shame – it seemed to me that you were growing to enjoy it.”

Luna closed her eyes and gave an arch chuckle. “Thou may bait Us all thou wish, Sister. We have regained control of Our emotions now, and We are immune to such childish fits of embarrassment.”

“Oh, I wouldn't be so sure of that,” said Celestia slyly. “You forget that I am a masterful tease.”

There was a pensive pause, before Luna let out a sigh and a smile. “Thou art, at that...” she muttered.

They came to a stop at base of the stone fountain, where the only sound was that of the gently running water and of the songbirds chirping overhead. This was one of the first places to which Celestia had brought Luna after her return, and it had fast become one of her favourite spots to come to when she wished to think.

The Sun was getting low in the sky now – it would soon be time for it to set completely and make way for the moon. The sight reminded her of everything her sister had done for her since her return, and she couldn't hold back a melancholic smile as she stared up at the sky.

“Words cannot express the thanks I owe you, Celestia,” she said, dropping the Royal We. It wouldn't serve her now anyway – they were alone, and this was a private sentiment she wished to share.

“For what?” said Celestia. “I've done nothing. Your return to power was a result of your own self discovery--”

“Do not presume to act humbly, Celestia!” said Luna, casting a warning glare at her sister. “I would not be standing here now if not for your guidance, and for your forgiving of me in the first place.”

Celestia shook her head and closed her eyes. “I did not mean to imply that this is any small feat. But truly, I did nothing other than love my sister.” She met Luna's eyes with a smile. “Thanks are wholly unnecessary.”

“But—”

“I have my sister back,” said Celestia. “Seeing you as you are now – having regained your strength and your pride – I could ask for nothing more.”

Celestia unfurled a wing and gently brushed it against Luna's side. Luna herself couldn't help but smile at the gesture, and the sentiment, too. A thoughtful moment passed before she stepped sideways to press her coat against Celestia's, and together they looked to the sky again.

“You are far too generous,” said Luna quietly. “But very well – I shall not mention it further.”

“Very good,” said Celestia. “Though I think there may be some others who deserve to appreciate your thanks.”

Luna quirked a brow, wondering to whom her sister was referring. Aside from Captain Shining Armour, there were few other ponies that had played a significant part in her return to power.

“Twilight Sparkle and her friends,” Celestia clarified.

“Ah...” Luna nodded slowly, as the thought brought up some nagging concerns that had been hiding at the back of her mind. Naturally, she tried to hide them, not wanting to look weak in front of her sister. “Thou need not to worry, Celestia – I already have plans to visit them in Ponyville during one of its annual celebrations. An event they call 'Nightmare Night'.”

“Nightmare Night?” said Celestia, smiling beside herself. “How theatrical of you.”

Luna scoffed. “Speakest not to Us of theatrics, Celestia.”

Celestia let out a giggle at that, and Luna was hard pressed not to join her.

“Forgive me,” said Celestia, shaking out the last of the laughter. “I must ask, though – Nightmare Night is a long way away. Do you not wish to see them sooner?”

Luna hesitated. “I... am not ready,” she said. “Not to return to Ponyville, after the spectacle that night. I wished to give them all time to recover, and perhaps to look past their first impressions of me.”

Celestia inclined her head ever-so-slightly and caught Luna's eye. “Is that all?”

Luna dropped her gaze to the ground. “...Perhaps I, too, need time to put that night behind me. Thou can understand that, can thou not?”

There was a long silence, during which Luna wondered whether she understood it herself. She had regained her stature, her power and her confidence. She would not become Nightmare Moon again. Perhaps what truly bothered her was the thought that ponies would not be able to see her any differently...

A brief, warm touch against her cheek drew her attention up to Celestia again, and she found that her elder sister was still smiling. “I do understand, Luna,” she said. “If time is what you need, then you shall have it.”

“...It is,” said Luna, nodding to reassure herself. “For now, I wish only to remain by thy side. If thou will have me...”

“Of course I will,” chuckled Celestia. “I would not have it any other way.”

Celestia offered a gentle pressure against her side and turned to look into the fountain, whilst Luna found her smile again. Soon, they would use their magic to bring about the sunset together, but for now they were content to share a companionable silence in one another's company.