Celestia laid on her bed, sleeping peacefully. Luna was watching from her balcony, as well as Nightmare Moon, the two still plotting to be the Rulers of Equestria someday. They looked at the moon and stars, admiring their own hoof work. Luna checked the clock and sighed. Celestia was going to be late for raising the sun. Nighty disagreed with the idea saying-
"Eternal Night?"
"But that'd be such a cheap shot. We'd have to win it fair and square. Even then, Tia is my big sister. Maybe she was right. You're a bad influence on me." Luna stated bluntly and trotted away, leaving Nighty in awe.
Luna started to gallop as the time for the sun to rise came closer and closer. She was at a full run when she got to Celestia's room, panting heavily, worried that Nightmare would get ideas.
"Tia! Tia Tia Tia! Tia Tia!" Luna yelled into her ear, booping her on the nose as well. "Get up, get up, get up! Get! Up!"
"Sister, why don't you handle the sun today? I'm a bit tired still." Celestia murmured as her sister continued booping her on the nose.
"But Tia- Fine! I will!" Luna shouted, a little angry that Celestia was being so lazy.
Luna went out onto the balcony and cracked her neck and hooves. She was used to raising the moon, but the sun was a different story. She connected with the moon, like they were sisters. The sun was just so... different. Nevertheless Luna tried. She flew up and raised the sun, bringing it into the air, stopping the beauty of the night. But, as she raised the sun and saw some sad faces and happy faces, she realized something. Some ponies loved her moon and stars. And some disliked the sun! She realized the rewarding feeling of seeing ponies smile at the sun and at her, especially.
"You should stop being so lazy, Tia!" Luna said as she trotted out of the room and back to hers to relax; the sun was bigger and thus required more magic and energy.
From her bed, Celestia smiled. She loved seeing Luna raise the sun; she raised it in such a way that made her jealous of her and her moon. She felt the jealousy in her heart and quickly banished the feeling, knowing that Solly would soon appear to annoy her for it.
"So, Tia! I felt that you were jealous!" Solar Flare cackled from around the corner.
"Yes, I suppose I was. Maybe... Maybe that's how Luna felt when I... when I sent her to that prison. I was such a horrid pony. I hope she knows I'm sorry."
"Then maybe you should know she is very sorry for how she acted, as well as Nighty. You didn't hear it from me." Solar Flare said, a feeling of tears developing in her eyes. "I'm going to my room."
Celestia walked down the halls slowly, thinking every step of the way. She finally reached the door she was searching for, the one as dark as the night, but as warm as the light on a summer day. She knocked on the door, then entered upon the door opening for her.
"Yes, Tia?"
"Sister, do you-" Celestia held her mouth to stop her voice from cracking. "Do you remember my Lullaby? And... and how sorry I was?"
Luna stared at her for some time, a hard expression on her face. She thought a moment and realized what Celestia had done for her no more than ten minutes ago. "You know, sister? I think I may need to hear it once more... it's been so long."
Celestia smiled and wiped a tear away, then began to sing.
"Fate has been cruel and order unkind
How can I have sent you away?
The blame was my own; the punishment, yours
The harmony's silent today
But into the stillness I'll bring you a song
And I will your company keep
Till your tired eyes and my lullabies
Have carried you softly to sleep
Once did a pony who shone like the sun
Look out on her kingdom and sigh
She smiled and said, "Surely, there is no pony
So lovely and so well beloved as I"
So great was her reign and so brilliant her glory
That long was the shadow she cast
Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved
And grew only darker as days and nights passed
Lullay moon princess, goodnight sister mine
And rest now in moonlight's embrace
Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth
Through cloud, and through sky, and through space
Carry the peace and the coolness of night
And carry my sorrow in kind
Luna, you're loved so much more than you know
Forgive me for being so blind
Soon did that pony take notice that others
Did not give her sister her due
And neither had she loved her as she deserved
She watched as her sister's unhappiness grew
But such is the way of the limelight, it sweetly
Takes hold of the mind of its host
And that foolish pony did nothing to stop
The destruction of one who had needed her most
Lullay moon princess, goodnight sister mine
And rest now in moonlight's embrace
Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth
Through cloud, and through sky, and through space
Carry the peace and the coolness of night
And carry my sorrow in kind
Luna, you're loved so much more than you know
May troubles be far from your mind
And forgive me for being so blind
The years now before us
Fearful and unknown
I never imagined
I'd face them on my own
May these thousand winters
Swiftly pass, I pray
I love you; I miss you
All these miles away
May all your dreams be sweet tonight
Safe upon your bed of moonlight
And know not of sadness, pain, or care
And when I dream, I'll fly away and meet you there
Sleep..."
"Do you remember my reply?"
"I think I might... need a refresher, dear sister." Celestia smiled.
"How my deeds pain me as time stretches long
How could I have hurt them this way?
So rest easy now, my punishment's mine
The weight of my crimes are my own
But into that stillness you brought me your song
With your voice my company kept
For your tired eyes and sweet lullabies
In exile I pay you my debt
Once did a pony who gleamed like the moon
Look out on her kingdom and sigh
Dejected she cried, "Surely there is no pony
"Who loves me, or finds any love in my night."
So great was her pain, she rose in rebellion
Against those who cared for her most
She let the Nightmare fall on those she ruled
And threatened to grip them in permanent cold
Lullay, dear Tia, good night sister mine
Rest now in starlight's embrace
May this cool lullaby reach you in dreams
And ease you your passage of days
May my apologies find you this night
And may my sorrow in kind
Tia, you loved me much more than I knew
Forgive me for being so blind
Soon did her sister do what was demanded
And gave to the Moonlight her due
Breaking the Harmony; she saved her ponies
And banished her, as a wise ruler must do
Such is the weight of the crown that we wear, sister,
Duties we always uphold;
May you forgive me that foolishness mine
And live on with no burden upon your soul
Lullay, dear, Tia, good night sister mine
Rest now in starlight's embrace
May this cool lullaby reach you in dreams
And ease you your passage of days
May my apologies find you this night
And may my sorrow in kind
Tia, you loved me much more than I knew
May troubles be far from your mind
And forgive me for being so blind
The space now before us, empty and forlorn
I never imagined we'd face them all alone
May these sunless seasons swiftly pass, I pray
I love you, I miss you, all these miles away
May all your dreams be sweet tonight
Safe upon that bed above the lights
And know not of heartache, fear, nor, gloom
And when I dream, I'll fly away to meet you soon
Sleep, sleep,
Sleep..."
The two sisters sat in the blue alicorn's room, singing in harmony, happy and content.