//------------------------------// // 7: The Serious Chapter // Story: Equestrian Royalty // by xXSheltieXx //------------------------------// 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.