//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1  
// Story: A broken Sun 
// by Twilight Best Pony 
//------------------------------//

												A Broken Sun


To anypony who finds this, let it be known that I let my anger, and paranoia get to me. Little sister. Twilight. I’m so sorry. I’m only able to write this with what little sanity I still have. 
I want everypony to remember me for who I was, not for what I became. But even now that will never happen. I never knew a simple misunderstanding could do this. But, in the end it did.


Celestia sat atop her throne with a bored expression. It had been 6 months since Twilight’s coronation. She and Luna were still teaching the lavender mare about being a princess, which she was taking like a fish to water. At that thought, Celestia managed to smile despite her mood. The past year and a half years were the most eventful of Twilight’s life thus far. Moving to Ponyville to learn about friendship, becoming the bearer of the element of magic, and in doing so saving Luna.
After that, Twilight saved Equestria again by taking on the spirit of disharmony and chaos; Discord. The third test was impromptu as even Celestia hadn’t a clue that Twilight’s old foalsitter and the princess of love, Cadence, was replaced by Queen Chrysalis of the changeling race. But even with no one to look to for support, Twilight persevered and ultimately helped save Equestria for a third time. The final test was orchestrated by her, and while Twilight didn’t save the Crystal Empire from King Sombra herself, Celestia admired Twilight’s willingness to put the needs of Equestria at large above her own desires; the mark of a true leader.
So much excitement in such a short amount of time hadn’t occurred in a thousand years, and it ended last time when Luna fell to the nightmare. Celestia couldn’t bear to kill her own sister, choosing to banish her to the moon instead, which left the sun princess heartbroken. The intervening millennium was especially hard on Celestia, as some days during that time she just wanted to stay in bed and cry in her pillow. But the job of raising the sun and moon during that time took priority, even though it got boring and strenuous very quickly.
Celestia was snapped back to reality by the door opening. She looked down to see the new captain of the royal guard, and her favorite since Shining Armor; Iron Shield. During the changeling invasion, unlike most guards he held his own and managed to take out five changelings, while simultaneously protecting a family of unicorns. After hearing about this, when Shining Armor relocated to the Crystal Empire with Cadence, Celestia had no reservations about offering Iron Shield the position of Guard Captain in Shining’s stead. Needless to say, Iron accepted the promotion and had thus far proved he deserved it.
“Good afternoon, Iron, how’s your day been going?” asked Celestia, her expression lifting a bit.

“Honestly, Celestia, it’s been boring,” Iron replied.
That’s another thing Celestia liked about Iron, he always called her by name and not title; even when he was a private. When questioned as to why, his only response was a shrug and “Honestly, I see you as a normal pony, so I address you as one.” Many of the other officers found that ‘unfaithful’ to the princess, but Celestia liked it, and he kept his post as her personal guard until getting promoted.
She giggled in response. “And why is that, Iron?” she asked in a playful voice.

Iron groaned. “The recruits are insurable these days.” He rubbed his temples with both hooves while continuing. “They keep complaining about how early they get up and when they’ll get a decent meal for once; kids these days, I swear.” He blinked in realization of what he just said. “Wow that made me sound old.”
Celestia giggled again. “Oh come now, isn’t that how you were way back when?”

He grunted. “The hay we weren't; we were the best group in the last 20 years, Celestia. We broke several company records.” It was true; they broke the 20 mile run by 2 hours and 20 minutes, and the obstacle course time by 5 minutes. 

She smiled. “Yes, I remember that. I believe your squad was called Nova, and they were the talk of Canterlot for some time.”  
He smiled at that. “Those were good times. It’s too bad they’re either stationed somewhere else or retired right now; a real pity.” His smile faltered a little bit.
Celestia smiled down on him. “True, but don’t you all meet up sometimes?

He smiled again. “Yes, we do; I believe it’s once every 5 years.”

Celestia had one more question. “I know I’m going off topic here, Iron, but how’s your wife doing?”

Iron’s ears perked up and he smiled. “Honey Dew is doing wonderfully. We’re due for our first foal in a couple of months.” Honey Dew was one of Celestia’s maids for 10 years before she introduced her to Iron Shield and they fell in love. They’ve been married happily for 5 years.
Celestia’s eyes brightened. “Oh, thats wonderful! I can’t wait to see her again.”

“Well, I’ll let her know,” he promised, and began heading back out. “I must leave now; we’re having a meeting soon with the other lieutenants in 10 minutes.” He opened the door partway but stopped. “Oh, I almost forgot, Princess Twilight is here to visit.” He opened the door fully and slipped outside as he finished. “I believe she’s with your sister right now.”

That surprised Celestia, as she hadn’t received a letter from Twilight announcing her visitation. She got up off her throne and began making her way to the door, all the while pondering what Twilight would need Luna for and not herself.
Perhaps Twilight is seeking help in her studies of astronomy. Yeah, that must be it. Though, I’d be equally helpful when it comes to stars. After all, my sun is one itself. I guess Twilight wants to make Luna feel more appreciated because, well . . . yeah.
As Celestia walked through the ornate castle hallways to Luna’s room, thoughts of Luna’s troubles replaced her curiosity of why Twilight was visiting.

It feels so wrong that Luna’s still misunderstood and under-appreciated even after all she’s been through. Even with all the praise she gets every Nightmare Night, having to delve into the dreams of ponies for companionship every other night is far from ideal. A thousand years ago, ponies would resent their dreams being invaded, and I imagine they still do to some extent. Only when their dreams fall to darkness does it seem Luna is wholly welcomed in them.  
Celestia was pulled from her thoughts by the sight of Luna’s bedroom door ahead, slightly ajar and a trickle of light shining through the crack. She could hear the voices of Luna and Twilight on the other side, but as Celestia got closer, what she heard greatly confused her.
“. . . believe we didn’t think of this sooner,” Twilight said in an awed tone of voice.
Celestia slowed to a trot and stopped outside the door, being as quiet as possible so as to not alert her sister and student to her presence.
“Good ideas take time to formulate, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna replied, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone. “To that end, GREAT ideas take many, many years, and even then one cannot be sure they’ll pull it off without a hitch.”

“Can we pull this one off without a hitch, Princess Luna?”

“There’s no need to call me by title, Twilight.”
“Sure thing . . . Lulu,” Twilight replied, followed by a giggle.

Celestia expected her sister to throw a hissy fit at being called that name. What her reply was came as a complete shock to the solar alicorn.
Luna giggled herself. “Yes, my little star, we can pull this off without a hitch.”

Celestia began feeling uneasy as she continued listening to her sister and student talking about whatever it was they were. What really got to her was the use of Luna’s and Twilight’s pet names. Celestia and Luna often times called each other by such names as a way to poke fun at each other in a sisterly love sort of way, and after she was coronated, Twilight joined in on the fun despite not being blood-related. However, to Celestia’s knowledge Luna hadn’t the slightest clue what Twilight’s pet name was, and doubted Twilight would’ve willingly told it to her.
“. . . So, are we all set then?” Twilight asked.
“Almost,” Luna replied, “a few more ends must be tied up before we can move forward with the plan. But once we’ve got it going, my dear sister will never see it coming.”
Twilight chuckled. “I guess you could say she’ll have a ‘blast’?”
“Most definitely, the likes of which she hasn’t experienced in over a thousand years,” Luna replied with smugness in her tone.
Celestia stood there, frozen, struggling to process what she’d just heard. What were those two planning for her? Why had they used their pet names? And what of this ‘blast’ that Celestia hadn’t experienced in over a thousand years? All of these questions pounded away at Celestia’s brain until she felt nauseous trying to find answers for them.

Eventually, she gave up and teleported to her own room, whereupon she immediately collapsed on the bed. As she lay there dizzy, disoriented and ready to puke, one possible explanation presented itself to her confusion addled brain. It frightened her to think about, but Celestia was grasping at straws for an explanation as to what she’d just heard, and this one seemed plausible enough to consider given Luna’s past transgressions.
Does my sister wish to replace me with Twilight?