//------------------------------// // Reconciliation Part 1 // Story: Sparkle No More // by dastrdlyW //------------------------------// “Why isn’t Captain Sterling here yet?” Princess Celestia asked aloud as she paced around the entrance to the ruins. It had been three hours since Twilight’s death and news of Nightmare Moon’s rise and subsequent defeat had traveled quickly. However, Celestia had requested that anything related to Princess Luna, Twilight, or the Elements of Harmony be kept secret. Celestia sighed in relief as she heard hooves approaching from behind her. “Captain Sterling, you’re here!” She turned around and faced the guard. “We need to– Shining Armor!?” Celestia’s jaw hung on its hinges as she stared at the guard in front of her. “Lieutenant... what are you doing here? Where is Captain Sterling?” Shining bowed respectfully. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but Captain Sterling was injured during the initial return of Nightmare Moon. I was ordered to take his place since he had yet to be released from the hospital, as well as the other two guards on duty.” Celestia turned away from Shining Armor. “Oh, Shining. There’s no easy way to say this...” “Your Highness?” Shining questioned. “Is everything alright?” “No, Shining.” Celestia inhaled deeply as she looked up at him. “There’s...” she exhaled. “There’s something I need to tell you.” “Princess? What’s going on?” “You were going to find out sooner or later... I just hoped I would have more time.” “Time for what?” “...Everything.” Celestia sighed once more as she faced the ground. She wasn’t prepared to even begin to explain to him that his sister was gone, much less prepared for whatever reaction he would have. All she knew was that he deserved to hear the truth. “Shining... you remember how I sent Twilight away to study friendship in Ponyville, right?” “Yes, I do. She sure didn’t seem too happy about it, though. She kept talking about how Nightmare Moon was going to return. Turns out she was right about–” “I know. I’ve known from the beginning Nightmare Moon was going to return, and to be honest, I’ve been waiting for it for a long time.” “Waiting for it? Why would you wait for it? Couldn’t you have done something to make sure Nightmare Moon didn’t return?” “You see, I didn’t want to prevent it from happening.” Shining cocked his head to the side. “What? Why not?” “If you recall the stories about Nightmare Moon, she was once Princess Luna, ruler of the stars and moon, and my little sister. However, Nightmare Moon took control of Luna in order to take control of Equestria. In the end, I had no choice but to banish her. Once I learned of the prophecy of Nightmare Moon’s return, I knew it would be my only chance at saving my sister.” Celestia lowered her head. “This only makes what I’m about to say so much harder.” Celestia paused to allow Shining a chance to respond, but when he didn’t, she continued. “Twilight was the physical embodiment of one of the Elements of Harmony, and I had arranged for her to meet with five other ponies, who also embodied the remaining Elements of Harmony, in order for them to defeat Nightmare Moon. They did so successfully, but Twilight…” Celestia paused as she felt her composure slipping away from her. She glanced at Shining Armor and cringed as the color drained from his face. “What about Twilight? Don’t tell me she’s...”    Celestia nodded grimly. “She’s gone, Shining. I… I tried to save her, but her injuries were far too severe. I attempted to transfer them to myself, but she stopped me. I’m not even sure I would’ve survived the transfer process if I had continued.” Shining turned his head and faced the entrance of the old castle. “Is it alright... if I see her? I...” he hesitated, “I need to see her.” Celestia nodded slowly. “If you wish to see her, you may. I was able to fix what Nightmare’s curse did to her. I just wish I could’ve...” Celestia stopped herself and shook her head. “Follow me.” As she led him through the ruins, neither of them said of them said a word. As the room came into view, and Shining saw Twilight lying on the floor, he pushed past Celestia in a gallop towards her. “Twily...” Shining knelt the floor before collapsing onto his stomach next to her. “You... you can’t be–” “This is all my fault, Shining. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed everything would work out! I didn’t think...” Shining took a couple of deep breaths. “I... I probably should blame you for this.” Shining stood up as he turned and faced Celestia. “I should hate and despise you.” Celestia backpedaled as as Shining walked towards her. His horn began to glow faintly.. “She’s dead because you sent her here! She’s dead!” Slowly, Shining’s horn began to glow brighter, eliciting a gasp from Celestia. “If you hadn’t... if she hadn’t come, she’d be...” Shining’s horn crackled with the fire burning in his eyes. “But no! She’s...” He took one last step towards her before his body sagged, and the magic in his horn faded. “...dead.” Celestia gulped and slowly reached over and placed a hoof on Shining Armor’s shoulder. “Shining... I... I never meant for any of this happen...” “I know, Princess.” Shining paused, then glanced up at her, a small river of tears trickling down his muzzle.  “How... How did she...” he choked up, unable to ask the question. Celestia sat down next to him and gently draped a wing over him. “Are... are you sure you want to know?” Shining paused and sighed. “I... I guess not.” He backed away and snapped to attention, donning the stoic facade the Royal Guard was famous for. “Please forgive me, Your Highness. My emotions got away from me and the last thing I want is to harm you. Is there anything else you need from me?” Celestia shook her head. “No. I can handle it from here, Shining Armor. You are dismissed. I still have... something I must do, so I will be unavailable a few hours. In the meantime, I’ve already arranged for a carrier service to pick her up. I’ll arrange the Royal Messenger to tell your family and–” “That won’t be necessary, Princess,” Shining Armor cut her off, the chill in his tone making her shiver. “I'll tell my parents myself.” Without another word, Shining turned and left. Celestia stared after him, wanting to comfort him, but her words failed her and before she could say anything more, he was gone. Turning her gaze towards the ground, she quietly mumbled, “I’m sorry... for everything.” Celestia glanced out the windows and stared into the depths of the forest. With nothing left for her in the castle, she took to the skies with one goal in mind: to find her sister. However, she quickly realized that she wouldn’t be alone. Dark grey clouds and harsh winds had decided to join her search for Luna. Despite the strain of flying in such weather, and against the small voice of reason screaming for her to turn back, Celestia pressed on through the growing storm. Luna would be weakened by the ordeal of having Nightmare Moon stripped from her by the Elements and Celestia had to find her. As she searched the Everfree from the air, she would occasionally land in order to search through the denser parts of the forest. Yet, every time, she would emerge empty-hooved and increasingly desperate. As noon arrived, the storm hit its peak. Vicious crosswinds and howling rain lashed at her constantly while flying debris threatened to swat her out of the sky. As the long hours passed, Celestia found herself landing more and more often, not to search for Luna, but to rest. Taking shelter under a canopy, Celestia called out for Luna one last time, only to receive a crack of thunder for a response. Celestia sighed in defeat. With a flap of her wings, she lifted off and set course for Canterlot. As she left the borders of Everfree, she cast a final glance towards that forsaken forest, and sent one last prayer for Luna’s safety. *-~-* As Celestia entered the castle and the afternoon sun hung in the sky, sending streams of light through the windows, her mood only darkened as she trudged slowly through the palace. She passed by her servants without a glance and ignored their greetings. In her wake, she left a string of confused and concerned ponies, though none dared approach her. However, as she entered her room, she found someone standing by the railing that overlooked the gardens below. The figure was blanketed in bandages from his head to his wings, which were bound to his sides. Even without his golden helmet and armor, and covered in bandages as he was, Celestia still knew this pony well. "Captain Sterling," she greeted, "What are you doing here?" After a pause to look over the bandages she frowned and asked, "And what happened to you? Shining Armor told me you were injured, but..." The grey coated pony turned and bowed once, curtly, before replying, "Good afternoon, Your Highness. I was waiting for you. As for my condition, I was injured shortly after Nightmare Moon appeared in Ponyville during the Summer Sun Celebration. We were ordered to seize her by the Mayor, but my compatriots and I were struck down by lightning. My wings were sprained when I crashed and my burns are superficial, but the other two guards are still in the injury ward." Celestia walked up next to the guard to gaze out over the gardens with him. "I hope you and the others recover soon. You were still in the injury ward when I requested to see you?" The captain nodded once. "Correct. They hadn't released me yet.” He gave her a weak smile and shook his head. “Those doctors are always too stubborn and nitpick after every little thing.” he huffed, and began to mimic them, “'Keep it dry', 'change the bandages daily', 'use this salve', 'hey, don't pick at that!'" Celestia smirked before she could help herself. After all these years, regardless of her mood, he could always find a way to lift her spirits. Still, she had an important subject to broach and couldn't let herself be distracted. “I see,” she sighed. “I just wish you had sent someone other than Shining Armor to debrief me.” Captain Sterling cocked his head and looked up at her out of the corner of his eye. “Someone else?” he asked, the confusion clear in his tone. “Lieutenant Shining Armor is second in command. It seemed like he would be the next best choice.” Celestia’s horn lit up and she brought over a pillow to sit on, getting herself comfortable for what seemed to be a long conversation. Sterling, however, opted to stand. “You made the right choice, according to procedure,” she began, “but... Nightmare Moon...” Celestia sighed and sagged a little into the pillow. “Do you remember the story I once told you about Starswirl the Bearded? The night he saved me... that I banished Nightmare Moon?” He nodded once, and shuddered. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget. That spell you described was–” “Used on Twilight Sparkle earlier today,” Celestia broke in, cutting him off. “Your student?” Celestia nodded grimly. “And Shining Armor’s beloved little sister.” Captain Sterling's face paled considerably as he glanced towards the ground. “I...” he began, “I had no–” Celestia raised her hoof, gesturing for him to be quiet. “I know you didn't know, Sterling. It's not your fault. I just...” Celestia trailed off into a sigh. “I would like to be left alone for now.” Rather than excusing himself and leaving, Captain Sterling sat down and stared into her eyes. “You might be able to fool yourself, Celestia,” he began, “but you can’t fool me. I’ve known you too long. The last thing you need is to be alone.” “Sterling, please. I–" Sterling continued, heedless of Celestia’s plea. “Let me ask you this, Celestia. If you recall yesterday, you warned me of Nightmare Moon’s return, yet told me to keep it quiet. But you also told me that you would be returning with your sister, Princess Luna. You had me work with the captain of the Lunar Guard, which was formed only last year, in preparing a room for Luna to sleep in. And to top it off, you ordered me, and I quote, ‘no matter what happens in the morning’ to have the cooks prepare a dinner for two. And after all that fuss, you return alone,” he paused and looked her over, “drenched, and covered in mud after what I assume was a desperate search for your sister.” He stood at attention. “You would send a captain of your guard away,” but before he continued, he relaxed his body and waited for her to look up at him, “but as your friend, I beg you: talk to me. Please?” Celestia stared at him in silence. Every word he had said was true, and she knew it. With a slow nod of her head, she told him everything. “None of this was supposed to happen. All I wanted was for my sister to be free from Nightmare Moon’s control. Twilight and her friends would be heroes and stand tall as the great bearers of the Elements of Harmony, but Twilight had the potential for so much more than just that. I wanted her to not just expand her studies, but open her heart to the friendship she’d been denying herself for so long. She was destined for so much more... but none of that matters. Nothing I had planned for her matters anymore. I had no idea what was happening while I was trapped, but once I was freed from Nightmare’s imprisonment, I went to the ruins. I meant to explain everything to Twilight and the others. When I arrived, I found Luna unconscious on the floor, but the others were huddled around Twilight, and obviously distraught. After everything she went through, her body... broken, battered, and misshapen...” Celestia shuddered. “As soon as I saw her, I knew exactly what had transpired.” “And there was nothing you could do.” Sterling didn’t phrase it as a question. Celestia shook her head. “The only way I could save her would be to either transfer the curse or Twilight’s injuries to myself. I didn’t want to risk becoming like Nightmare Moon, so I intended to do the latter, but Twilight... she stopped me!” Celestia paused and took a few deep breaths before continuing. “I wasn’t even sure if I would survive the transfer process, and something tells me that Twilight came to the same conclusion. Even though everything happened the way they did, Twilight still thanked me. Just before she died, she said ‘thank you.’” Celestia exhaled noisily, as if unsure whether to laugh or cry out. “After I... composed myself, I went to check on Luna, and she had disappeared. I remember saying I’ll make sure Nightmare’s magic never sees the light of day again, and I can only assume Luna heard me and ran out before I noticed. She probably thinks I hate her. “Then I called for you, and Shining Armor showed up instead, and after explaining what happened I thought for sure he was about to attack me. Instead, he apologized for raising his voice at me and left with Twilight. I tried to find Luna but failed... and now I’m here, telling everything to you.” Celestia swallowed the lumps forming in her throat as a few tears slipped from her eyes. “I just don’t know what to do, Sterling. If I lose Luna again, I don’t think I could live with myself. I couldn’t do anything for Twilight, but there’s a chance I can do something for Luna! If I could just find her! Please, Sterling... help me,” she begged as she gazed up at him. “Can’t we organize a search party?” Sterling remained quiet for a while, obviously chewing over the other available options, but Celestia knew his answer already. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but the conditions over Everfree are too unstable. Pegasi can’t control the weather there, and flying in that storm would be suicidal. Unicorns wouldn’t have to worry about the crosswinds, but their concern lies with being ambushed by the many inhabitants of that forest. I can’t, in good faith, send any of my men out there, even for your sister.” Celestia sagged as the last of her hopes faded. “But,” Sterling continued, “I seem to recall you telling me of somewhere Luna would go when she needed to be alone. You might try looking at–” “The river! Just on the other side of the ruins!” Celestia leapt up from the bed. “Of course! That was her favorite place in the whole forest! How did I not think of this?! Oh, thank you, Sterling, thank you! This is just what I needed.” Celestia wrapped him in a soft hug. “You’ve been a great comfort to me throughout the years, and I’m thankful to not only have as you Captain of my guard, but as a friend.” “Anything for you, Your Highness.” Celestia pulled away, spread her wings, and took off into the sky, soaring over Canterlot, then Ponyville, until she finally reached the Everfree Forest. She knew she would have to fight the storm raging overhead, but nothing was more important than finding her sister. I’m coming, Luna. She braced herself and charged headfirst into the storm, scanning the ground for any familiar surroundings as she tried to recall the exact location of her sister’s sanctuary. “Luna!” she called out, “Luna, can you hear me!?” After no response, Celestia growled in frustration. “I can’t even hear my own thoughts over this storm! There’s no way she can hear me.” Celestia bit her lip as she hovered above the trees, scanning the floor beneath her. There were so few landmarks, almost nothing was recognizable. Hundreds of years of neglect and decay at the hands of unfettered nature had changed so much. She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes, pushing out the distractions around her. The chaos around her slowly faded, and when she opened her eyes her view of the forest was unobstructed. Below her, fanning out as far as the eye could see, was how the forest used to look. Long, obvious paths stretched along the forest floor, and far ahead stood the castle. Along its south edge flowed a long, calm river. She smiled to herself and– A scream echoed through the forest, shattering the world around her. “Luna!” Fearing the worst, Celestia shot through the sky towards the direction of the scream. As she entered the clearing, she spotted Luna standing by the water’s edge and screeched to a halt. Almost immediately after, Luna doubled over and retched into the lake. “Luna?” Celestia called out. Luna’s body tensed as she turned around to face Celestia. Realizing her sister was on edge, Celestia kept her distance. “Please, Luna, don’t be afraid. I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to talk.” “Talk?” Luna sighed dejectedly and averted her eyes. “What’s there to talk about? After what you said in the ruins–” Celestia blanched. “That… that wasn’t about you. I was referring to Nightmare Moon! It’s all because of her that… this happened.” “And it was because of my own weakness that Nightmare was able to claim that young pony’s life! There’s no denying that!” “If you’re to blame for not being able to stop it, then what about me? I’m the one who sent her there knowing full well Nightmare Moon was returning. Thanks to my meddling she went to Ponyville, she met up with the ponies who embodied the Elements of Harmony, and she fought with Nightmare Moon. If it weren’t for me, she’d still be alive! But what other choice did I have?” Celestia choked back a sob. “I didn’t have another choice. I lost control of the Elements the night I lost you!” Celestia choked again, but this time couldn’t stop it. “I can’t... I can’t lose you, too. Not again, never again.” “But how can you forgive me? After... everything Nightmare made me do, how could you possibly...” Luna trailed off and lowered her head. “Nightmare Moon was the one responsible for everything that happened. Her, and her alone. You should never have paid for her actions. You are not Nightmare Moon and you never will be. You will always be my little sister.” Celestia paused and lifted her sister’s head once more. “I love you, Luna, and nothing will ever change that.” Luna closed her eyes tightly as she turned away from Celestia for a brief moment, then leapt forward and pulled her into a tight hug. “I love you, too, ‘Tia. I’ve missed you so much.” “I’ve missed you, too.” Time lost all relevance as the two sisters remained locked in their embrace, neither one wanting to end it. As much as Celestia didn’t want the hug to end, she knew that they needed to get out of the storm. “Come on, Luna.” Celestia said as she pulled away. “It’s dark enough in this place without the storm, and I don’t want to be here come nightfall. Are you able to fly?” Luna turned towards one wing and then the other before flapping her wings and struggling to even lift herself from the ground. After multiple failures, she groaned in defeat and shook her head.  “Here,” Celestia lowered her body to Luna’s level. “I’ll carry you. The wind seems to have died down, but I doubt it will be calm for long. If we leave now we should be fine.” Luna smiled softly as she climbed on Celestia’s back. Celestia carefully flared her wings and smiled back. “Let’s go home.”